MORE than 2,500 people have signed a petition calling for a recycling centre to reopen in East Lothian, amid claims that fly-tipping has increased since it closed.

Craig Hoy, South Scotland MSP, launched the petition calling for East Lothian Council’s decision to "temporarily" close Macmerry Recycling Centre to be reversed.

He said that residents had reported more incidents of fly-tipping and additional traffic on one town centre street as drivers were diverted to alternative sites.

Mr Hoy’s petition, which has now gathered 2,592 signatures, will be considered by the council’s petitions committee tomorrow (Wednesday).

READ MORE: Petition launched calling on council to open Macmerry Recycling Centre

It states: “Macmerry Recycling Centre served residents of Macmerry, Haddington and surrounding villages, including Gifford, Pencaitland, East Saltoun, West Saltoun and Longniddry, until it was temporarily closed in October 2023.

“Since its closure, residents have raised concerns about increased fly-tipping and diversion of traffic through Tranent High Street.

“I am calling for a reversal of the 2024-25 council budget to retain this vital service at a time where East Lothian’s population is growing as a result of housebuilding.”

The local authority’s elected members agreed to keep the centre shut as part of cost-cutting measures introduced at the start of the current financial year.

The council has pointed out that there are three other recycling centres in the county: at Dunbar, North Berwick and Wallyford.

Launching his petition earlier this year, Mr Hoy noted that the council’s Conservative Group had put forward an alternative to closing the Macmerry centre at a budget meeting earlier this year, but this was rejected.