A PETITION calling on Powys council to reopen Potters Yard in Machynlleth has gained more than 600 signatures.

But the county council has crushed any hope that they will fund the reopening of a bulky waste recycling centre in Machynlleth as they look to save £700,000 by closing one of the sites in Newtown or Welshpool, as reported in the Cambrian News last month.

The prospect of a further closure came after the council’s controversial decision to withdraw the weekend bulky waste collection service, which operated from the Maengwyn Street car park, following its introduction to minimise the effect of the closure of Potters Yard in January 2015.

Speaking to the Cambrian News this week, lead petitioner June Crossley claimed there had been an increase in fly-tipping in the Dyfi Valley since the services were withdrawn because it was so difficult and expensive for people to dispose of bulky waste responsibly.

“We have had over 600 signatures now with people asking for more sheets,” said Mrs Crossley, who has distributed petition sheets in shops, banks, and doctors’ surgeries in Machynlleth and Tywyn.

“We have written to Powys council, MPs, First Minister Carwyn Jones and other politicians.

“The closure of Potters and the bulky waste collection service is going to cause trouble for a lot of people.”

Cllr Michael Williams said he supported any move to bring back a bulky waste collection service to Machynlleth, and claimed a private individual was seeking costing information from the county council to explore the possibility of running the service privately.

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