TIME is running out for the South Ruislip tip – with Hillingdon residents waiting in frustration to see if it might be closed.

West London Waste Authority, which runs the site, is under fire for stalling on an offer by Hillingdon Council to keep it open for an extra month – so that the initial decision to close it can be reconsidered.

WLWA announced it was closing the site in Victoria Road on May 31, but Hillingdon offered to fund the operation until the end of June.

The borough made the formal offer a week ago but a response is still awaited – despite the deadline looming.

Jean Palmer, deputy chief executive, said: “Our residents will be astonished the WLWA hasn’t even bothered to give us a decision on our very reasonable offer to cover the costs of the site for June.

“Dragging their feet in this way only adds to the concern we already have about the WLWA’s running of the site and handling of this whole situation. Our residents want and deserve an answer.”

Hillingdon has been fighting for some time to ensure the site operates a good service.

The borough, which does not have a say in the running or financial management of the site, has been asked to take on increasing costs, but 40 per cent of users are from other boroughs, which do not pay.

Hillingdon people can use the Harefield site in New Years Green Lane free of charge on the production of their Hillingdon First card or proof of address, such as a utility bill.