LOCAL MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has applauded a new “culture of civility” at one of West Somerset’s recycling centres.

He says he has been highly impressed by the courtesy of staff at the Williton centre, often in the past a source of complaints about employees’ attitudes.

Mr Liddell-Grainger (pictured), MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, said he had been surprised and delighted by the reception he received when he visited the centre over the weekend.

“In the past I have heard nothing but reports of bad experiences from people who have taken things down there,” he said.

“Their complaints all followed the same line: staff were unhelpful, often rude and sometimes quite aggressive, particularly when people made quite innocent mistakes in depositing items in the various receptacles.

“In fact I know of Williton people who preferred to drive their recycling materials eight miles to the Minehead centre rather than be given the third degree by the Williton staff.

“However, I made several visits to the centre at the weekend and I was extremely pleased to find a new culture of civility reigning. I don’t know whether this is as a result of complaints but the staff were polite, welcoming and only too ready to help me unload and dispose of the items I was taking there. And I can only congratulate whoever is responsible.

“We need to encourage as much recycling as possible as part of the drive to reduce our impact on the environment and, in some small way, mitigate the effects of climate change.

“We are not going to achieve that if people visiting recycling centres are made to feel unwelcome and are met with rudeness and hostility, particularly when they have actually been urged to use them.

“We can hope to achieve it, however, if they encounter pleasant, helpful staff and find it a positive experience.”