In the Courier newspaper it has been reported that the idea of putting recycling bins on the site of the derelict Pennington Road toilets has been resurrected by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Three years ago the idea of placing facilities for bottle and can recycling at this site was rejected by Southborough Town Council after an outcry from local residents. The Town Council said that the facility lacked adequate parking facilities and would generate smell and noise for local residents.

This time the idea of underground recycling banks has been suggested as an attempt to deal with the noise issue. However the problems of parking are all too apparent with double yellow lines outside the closed loos.

Clearly the derelict toilets are a grot spot and should be removed. But surely the best way of improving recycling facilities for Southborough residents is to extend the doorstep collection of recyclables to bottles and cans rather than bury bottle banks underground.