CIVIC chiefs have thrown out plans to slash opening hours at Southampton’s biggest recycling centre.

Southampton City Council agreed to scrap proposals to cut opening times at the City Depot and Recycling Park by 20 hours a week.

The decision to maintain the service, which currently operates between 9am to 4pm every day between October and April will cost the authority £53,000 a year.

Southampton City Council say the change of heart follows a proposal by Hampshire County Council to close half of its 26 recycling centres - which could save the authority £1.3million a year.

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, the council’s transport and environment portfolio holder: “Hampshire have 24 household waste recycling centres, while Southampton and Portsmouth have one each. It is therefore important to ensure opening hours are consistent across the county in order to prevent increased numbers of visitors to the Southampton centre and increased disposal costs.”

Tory councillor Jeremy Moulton said: “It is essential that we keep quality services given the decision to cut the weekly bin collections by Labour as there is an increased risk of flytipping.”

Southampton Independents councillor Andrew Pope said: “The council has been forced to keep the centre opening hours because of the disastrous policy of fortnightly collections.”