RAMSBOTTOM residents are being urged to demand back their tip in a survey by Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority.

A questionnaire relating to the best value service review of civic amenity sites is being circulated in Ramsbottom, and councillors are urging everyone in town to take a couple of minutes to fill in the form.

Coun Dorothy Gunther told the Bury Times: "The closure of the Stubbins site has caused much anger in Ramsbottom, and people still ask if and when they will get a waste disposal facility in Ramsbottom.

"The more people who fill out this questionnaire then the more those at GMDA will understand the strength of feeling in the town."

She added: "This consultation process is very important and can make a difference to us getting a replacement facility."

GMWDA closed the tip in the mid-90s as part of a cost-cutting exercise despite a huge campaign by councillors and residents to keep it open.

"The townspeople are now forced to travel to the Fernhill site in Bury.

Coun Gunther said: "This simply defeats the objective.

"We are working with Ramsbottom Against Landfill to improve recycling in the town after the landfill application was thrown out, because we know that we have a responsibility.

"But travelling to Fernhill means the use of petrol which leads to pollution which we are trying to cut down on."

She added that fly tipping in the town had increased following the site closure.

The survey questionnaires are available from Ramsbottom Library as well as Bridge Savers and Market Place News in the town centre.

"If local people want their tip back they have to say so," she said.

"The consultation process closes at the end of the month although I am trying to get that extended."