David Rutley, Macclesfield's MP, has added his strong support to the campaign to keep Congleton's household waste recycling centre open.

Cheshire East's cabinet agreed 'that the Congleton tip will not be replaced' while a borough-wide review of the centres was undertaken at its meeting on Tuesday.

However, Mr Rutley wants to see the facility go on providing a "much-needed service" for local residents and warned that its closure would also put "extra pressure" on the "already busy" recycling centre in Macclesfield.

MR Rutley has joined Fiona Bruce, MP for Congleton, and many local residents in opposing Cheshire East Council's proposals not to fund a replacement tip when the lease at the existing site, off Barn Road, expires in September.

He also represents constituents in the south of the Macclesfield constituency who regularly use the Congleton facility.

Mr Rutley believes that residents should expect "convenient, accessible facilities" for the disposal of household refuse to be a "basic service that the council provides council taxpayers".

Mr Rutley said: "Closing the Congleton recycling centre would make it more difficult for residents to recycle regularly and play their part in helping to tackle climate change.

"The closure will lead to longer journey times to use other facilities and more air pollution, while also increasing demands on Macclesfield's well-used recycling centre."

He also had further concerns that the proposed closure would lead to increased illegal fly-tipping, especially in neighbouring rural areas.

Mr Rutley has previously opposed plans to close the recycling centres in Bollington and Poynton, which were also set out as options in Cheshire East Council's household waste and recycling review.

Speaking about the campaign to ensure HWRC provision was retained in Congleton, Mr Rutley said: "I am strongly supporting calls to keep Congleton recycling centre open.

"Working closely with Fiona Bruce – Congleton's hardworking MP – I am urging Cheshire East Council to change its plans to close the facility.

"I hope that the council will listen to the concerns of local residents, accept that the closures would be environmentally harmful and keep Congleton recycling centre open."