I AM annoyed to see Labour councillors delaying, for at least 12 months, the construction of York’s first salvage and recycling centre, as revealed in the detail of their mini-budget.

The project has the potential to allow many more items to be reused rather than go through an often energy intensive, recycling and remanufacture process.

The centre would also replace the Beckfield Lane amenity site which is heavily congested in the summer months.

Labour is spending £150,000 on buying smaller recycling containers for residents – in itself not likely to be a popular measure.

The early reuse and salvage of materials at this facility would at least give residents an additional opportunity to ensure that usable items never enter the waste stream.

Donald Smith, Falsgrave Crescent, York.