A CAMPAIGN to support Alton’s household waste recycling centre gained momentum as protesters flocked to the facility.

They went to Omega Park as county councillors discussed how to reduce its costs by £140m by April 2019.

At its meeting next Monday (October 16), Hampshire County Council’s cabinet will weigh up a range of options and, while no formal decisions have been made, “up to half” of the county’s recycling centres could be closed to save £1.2m.

Alton county councillor Andrew Joy insisted campaigners were “jumping the gun” and added: “There has been no expressed threat to Alton, because even if there were cuts Alton’s centre would be unlikely to close due to its strategic location and high usage."

Even so, less optimistic residents gathered at the tip for a protest organised by the Labour Party last Saturday to voice their early resistance. Liberal Democrats have also said they will hand a ‘Save Alton’s Recycling Centre’ petition, bearing almost 3,500 signatures, to Hampshire County Council before its full meeting on November 2.

The county council is in a difficult position with regard to its finances and Mr Joy said “no stone is being left unturned” as councillors try to make savings.

County council leader Roy Perry said: “We have been reporting for some time now the extent of the financial challenge that we continue to face.

“With our revenue support grant from the Government soon coming to an end, together with rising inflation and significant increases in the numbers of elderly people, younger adults and children needing care, the pressures are mounting.

“We are limited on the level by which we can increase council tax, and changes to the law would be needed to enable us to introduce or increase charges for some services – even though residents have indicated they would prefer to make contributions for some discretionary services rather than lose them.”