CALLS have been put forward to allow householders in the Berkeley Vale to use a recycling centre outside of Gloucestershire.

A petition has been launched in hopes of letting people who live in the GL13 postcode to use the nearby Thornbury tip - which is around six miles away - in South Gloucestershire.

Currently, residents who live in villages near Berkeley such as Ham and Stone have to drive around 13 miles to use their nearest tip at Pyke Quarry near Horsley.

Many have described the proposal as ‘logical’ which would be more convenient and help reduce carbon emissions.

So far, over 200 people have signed the petition, which has been set up by Wotton County Councillor Linda Cohen and Berkeley District Councillor Lindsey Green.

Both are urging Gloucestershire County Council and South Gloucestershire Council to come up with a ‘collaborative arrangement'.

“The current situation is environmentally insane,” one petition supporter said.

Another supporter said: “Travelling all the way to Horsley to ditch household waste invites fly tipping.

“It’s ironic on both accounts that we need to travel so far to be environmentally sound by recycling!”

Cllr Cohen said: “Residents of Berkeley Vale have to drive 13 miles to use the tip at Horsley when their nearest recycling centre is half the distance away in Thornbury.

“This makes no environmental sense, is costly and also does not allow for the trip to be used for multiple purposes e.g. shopping.

“I am asking GCC and SGC to work together to come up with a collaborative arrangement which will allow residents to use the centre of choice.

“When we are focussing on minimising environmental impact and most of us need to keep a rein on household expenditure this is the kind of simple initiative which makes perfect sense.

“Cllr Green and I want to see more cross border cooperation which will help to reduce the inequalities for those of us that live on the edge of the county.

“We would ask every resident who would benefit from this opportunity to sign the petition.

”In response to the petition, SGC spokesperson said: “Where possible we seek to work collaboratively with neighbouring local authorities while ensuring value for money for our residents whose council tax is used to fund our Sort It recycling centres, and pays for the disposal of the waste.”

GCC declined to comment.

You can view the petition here - tinyurl.com/57y9929k