OPPOSITION members have accused Tory-controlled Christchurch council of failing to match local residents' commitment to recycling.

Liberal Democrat councillors, already critical of the borough's failure to meet its 30 per cent recycling target in the current year, have slammed a budget decision not to extend the successful pilot scheme for collecting recyclable waste.

Despite almost total particip-ation by 700 householders in St Catherines Hill to achieve a 71 per cent recycling rate, the three-stream collection of refuse, recyclables and green waste will not be rolled out to other areas of the borough until 2008.

Cllr Alan Wright said the results of the trial were impressive and showed Christchurch residents were ready to help the council achieve its government-imposed goal of recycling 30 per cent of household waste.

"It's a pity that this commitment is not matched by a commitment from the council," he said.

Cllr John Campbell said there was widespread concern that Christchurch had missed its recycling target for this year with no plans to catch up.

"We have good, dedicated staff but they seem hampered by this council's unwillingness to make the necessary investment to adequately expand this service," he said.

But their claims were rubbished by environment portfolio holder Cllr Colin Jamieson, who said the decision to delay expanding doorstep collection of recyclables was made in the light of pending changes to county and national waste strategies which could alter the type of bins and vehicles needed.

He said: "There are constraints on the council which must be resolved before significant investment can be made with confidence.

"Until the way forward is clear, the council should consider carefully before committing to further investment in containers and vehicles.

"It would be foolish to spend council tax payers' money on expensive equipment now and potentially have to replace it in a year's time."