Council leaders have been accused of breaking a manifesto promise because of plans to axe a Norfolk recycling centre.

But Norfolk County Council's Conservative administration hit back at criticism over its intention to close Mayton Wood Recycling Centre, near Coltishall.

When County Hall agreed its budget last month, it scrapped controversial plans to save £200,000 to shut all recycling centres on Wednesdays.

Eastern Daily Press: Mayton Wood Recycling Centre is facing the axeMayton Wood Recycling Centre is facing the axe (Image: Antony Kelly)

But it instead mooted the closure of Mayton Wood, to save £70,000, with councillors saying people could use the recently-opened Norwich North Recycling Centre instead.

However, the Conservative's manifesto ahead of the May 2021 county elections stated: "We pledge to keep all of our libraries, museums and recycling centres open."

Eastern Daily Press: Labour county councillor Terry JermyLabour county councillor Terry Jermy (Image: Archant)

And, at a recent meeting of the council's cabinet, Labour county councillor Terry Jermy, who represents Thetford West, asked why the Conservatives were breaking their manifesto pledge.

Eastern Daily Press: Eric Vardy, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for environment and waste Eric Vardy, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for environment and waste (Image: NCC)

Eric Vardy, cabinet member for environment and waste, said the county council was committed to increasing recycling and had spent about £15m in recent years on new and improved recycling centres across Norfolk.

READ MORE: 'Cause for worry' as bill for new recycling centres spirals by £2.6m

He said: "The council opened the new Norwich North and Norwich South
recycling centres in 2021 and 2022 and has recently submitted a planning application
for a new recycling centre at Sheringham, with funding also provided for new recycling centres in the Wymondham, Long Stratton and North Walsham areas.

"As the council delivers these new, much-improved recycling centres, the ones they replace are closed and consideration is also given to whether other sites in the same area are still required, or whether operations can be moved to a new site that provides an improved service."

Mr Jermy then asked which other recycling centres are being considered for closure in the future, to which Mr Vardy replied there were currently none.