A?10-week public consultation has been launched to ask people how they think savings can best be made in the cost of running the county’s household waste recycling centres.

Sean Woodward, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for economy, transport and environment, said: “The cuts the Government has made to Hampshire’s grant are now so severe that we simply cannot afford to carry on as before.

“The county council had been planning to make savings to meet a £98m funding shortfall by April 2017, but when the Government announced its funding plans for local authorities for the next three years, Hampshire lost £48m more this year than had been anticipated.

“It is vital that we make sure the resources we have in Hampshire are focused on where they can make the most impact, and how we deal with Hampshire’s waste is part of this”

The county council currently operates a network of 24 sites, including Omega Park in Alton, Station Road in Bordon and Bedford Road in Petersfield, which are open seven days per week and only closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Mr Woodward continued: “We have a large number of household waste recycling centress in Hampshire compared with other areas, and it is clear we are no longer in a financial position to be able to provide this same level of service.

“This consultation is a genuine opportunity for people to tell us how they think a different and more affordable model can be established.

“We are asking people what they think of changes in opening hours – an hour less each day, weekend only opening, winter closures – and what they think of closing some sites altogether. We will be looking at how many people use each of the sites, how much waste is collected, and the distances between sites.

“I would urge Hampshire residents to take part in this consultation and help us define an affordable service which works for them. No decisions will be made until we have looked at all the evidence and taken people’s views into consideration.”

For a paper copy of the consultation, call 0300 555 1389 or e-mail [email protected]. The deadline for responses is May 25.