Frontline services remaining open

THE council leader has reassured residents that emergency frontline services will remain open over the Christmas period.

There will be some changes to opening times, however, with non-critical services not available from 4pm on Christmas Eve until Thursday, January 2.

Plans are in place to ensure roads are gritted and kept clear, should the wintry weather take a turn for the worse, and staff will be on standby in the event of an emergency.

Emergency phonelines will be in operation throughout - the emergency number is 0300 303 8875.

Council Leader Allen Brett said: “I want to reassure residents, particularly those who are elderly and vulnerable that we are still here for them, especially the emergency frontline services that people need most. But there will be changes for many other services so please do check before travelling to libraries, leisure centres and other popular activities.”

Some waste and recycling collection dates will change.

Bins due to be collected on Wednesday, December 25 will be collected on Friday, December 27.

Bins normally collected on Thursday, December 26 will be collected on Saturday, December 28.

Bins normally collected on Friday, December 27 will be collected on Monday, December 30.

There is no change to collections due to be made on Tuesday 31 December.

Bin collection days from Wednesday, January 1 until Friday, January 3 have moved to the following day so put your bin out a day later than usual.

Normal waste collection services resume from Monday, January 7.

The Household Waste Centre on Chichester Street is open every day apart from Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

The council will collect extra recycling waste only, extra bags of general waste will not be collected. Please ensure paper and cardboard are flattened and secured next to your bin and that mixed recycling (glass, plastic bottles and cans) are in a clear container next to the bin. Large items such as cardboard boxes should be folded down to make them as manageable as possible.

Libraries and customer service points are open until 4pm on Tuesday 24 December then close until Thursday 2 January.

Adult Care will continue to deliver services for vulnerable people throughout the Christmas period. A team of staff will be working to deal with emergencies and ensure people are supported and cared for in an emergency.

Sure Start Children’s Centres are open as usual up to Tuesday, December 24 and then closed - with the exception of well-baby clinics and pre-booked antenatal/post-natal appointments - until Thursday, January 2.

Children’s social care services will continue to operate throughout and can be contacted on 0300 303 0440. To report a concern about a child or adult outside of working hours, at weekends or during Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day, contact the Emergency Duty Team on 0300 303 8875. If it’s an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Police.

Hollingworth Lake café and toilets are open every day except Christmas Day, while the visitor centre closes on Christmas Eve at 3.30pm and will open again on Saturday, January 4 at 10am. The visitor centre will also be open on New Year’s Eve from 10am to 3.30pm.

Rochdale Register Office is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. It opens on Saturday, December 28 from 10am to 2pm and then again on Monday and Tuesday December 30-31 before reopening as usual from Thursday, January 2.

Full details of the changes are available at www.rochdale.gov.uk/Christmas