I WAS disappointed to read the letter from three Conservative councillors (August 15) condemning Peter Downes for being political in running a high profile campaign to keep open for householders use the Buckden/Brampton household waste recycling centre

I WAS disappointed to read the letter from three Conservative councillors (August 15) condemning Peter Downes for "being political" in running a high profile campaign to keep open for householders' use the Buckden/Brampton household waste recycling centre.

Their letter seems to confuse two issues: first the excellent recycling rate in the area and secondly the proposed closure of this site where householders can currently take bulk or indeed any items.

The recycling rate in our district is indeed very good. This is thanks to local residents working with the district council. While not wishing to become complacent, I applaud the rate of recycling which puts our district in the top 10 districts in the country.

This, though, is in no way connected with the question as to whether Buckden/Brampton should remain open. This purpose-built facility is much valued and much used by local householders. During this year's election campaign this point was emphasised again and again while I was talking with people on the doorstep in the Ellington Ward.

Closure would have a number of negative consequences. A useful facility, serving a large population, would be lost to us. People from Huntingdon, Brampton, Buckden, Godmanchester, Kimbolton and the Ellington area would have to travel to sites at Bluntisham, Alconbury or St Neots, using extra fuel and producing more pollution and carbon emissions. We will have the absurd situation that much of the resulting additional load at these sites would then have to be trucked back to the Buckden/Brampton site to be landfilled. People on the doorstep advise me that fly-tipping will increase, with the consequent cost to the district council which will be left to clear up the debris.

I am with Councillor Downes on this issue and I hope his campaign to keep the site open for local residents is successful.

MIKE BAKER, Councillor for Ellington Ward, Huntingdonshire District Council