THE decision to close Ilkley's tip in the face of widespread opposition has been branded "disgraceful" and a "blatant disregard" of the views of local people.

Last week Bradford Council voted through a budget which will see £40million slashed from local services.

Among the facilities on which the axe will fall is Ilkley's household waste recycling centre on Golden Butts Road.

Thousands of people signed a petition calling for the Labour-run Bradford Council to think again when they put forward the closure of the tip as a cost-cutting measure.

The tips in Queensbury and Cross Roads will also close. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Lead petitioner Joanne SugdenLead petitioner Joanne Sugden (Image: submitted)

Former Ilkley Town councillor and lead petitioner Joanne Sugden said: "The blatant disregard of the views of the people of Ilkley by Bradford Council in pushing ahead with its decision to close Ilkley tip, is disgraceful."

Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said Government had cut more than £350m from the council's budget since 2010, adding: "After 14 years of austerity we stand here having to vote for yet more cuts."

Referring to some of the petitions against cuts, Cllr Hinchliffe thanked petitioners, but said: "We can't afford to run all these services any more."

A flood of disappointment came from Ilkley's councillors and politicians.

Councillor David Nunns (Conservative, Ilkley) pledged that the Conservative councillors would explore alternatives, which he said could include employing a private recycling company to ensure the continued provision of this facility.

Councillor Andrew Loy (Conservative, Ilkley) added: “This is devastating news for Ilkley. We put forward a fully-costed amendment which would have kept Ilkley Tip open and also scrapped the proposed increase in parking charges, but unfortunately this was voted down."

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Independent, Ilkley) said residents were "alarmed" at the closure of the tip and said: "We must as a town make every effort to retain the facility."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Robbie Moore MP at the Ilkley tipRobbie Moore MP at the Ilkley tip (Image: submitted)

Ilkley and Keighley MP Robbie Moore added: "It is quite frankly astounding that instead of joining the united efforts of our community against these plans, local labour councillors in my constituency instead sided with Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe and rubber-stamped these plans."

John Grogan, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Keighley and Ilkley has called for residents of Ilkley and Addingham, to join Menston and Burley and be given access to the Otley Household Waste Recycling Centre at Ellar Ghyll.

He said: "I would urge Bradford and Leeds Councils to examine whether they can do a deal to allow Bradford residents to use Ellar Ghyll. It may be that discussions could also be held with North Yorkshire County Council regarding the use of Skipton Waste Recycling Centre."