Council delays tip closures for a few months
THE temporary closures of Bollington and Poynton tips appears to have been delayed following a huge campaign to keep them open.
Cheshire East Council were due to shut the household waste recycling centres (HWRCs), along with another in Middlewich, as a cost cutting measure on Monday, April 1.
But the authority announced this week that the closures are ‘currently targeted to take place in the next two to three months’.
It follows a large protest meeting and then a smaller one last week between campaigners, including Chris Wellavize, deputy council leader Mike Gorman and other councillors.
While protesters acknowledge the battle to keep the sites open is far from won, they are pleased about the ‘small victory’.
Chris said: “The people who will be impacted by the proposed closures feel very strongly and there are compelling environmental and financial arguments that make there continued operation a no brainer.
“There’s lots of speculation as to why there is a delay in implementing closure, but whatever the reason it is a small victory and gives us more time to organise.”
Whenever the temporary closure begins a decision on the long term future of the three sites will be made following a review later this year.
Four other centres – Macclesfield, Crewe, Alsager and Knutsford – will remain open.
Arguments against the closures include more flytipping, which the council disputes, lower recycling rates – especially with the new green bin emptying charge, and longer car journeys to visit other sites.
The council has said that should the centres close then a mobile recycling service will come to the affected areas.
In this week’s statement, Cheshire East Council said: “As part of the essential savings measures for this year, and due to increasing operating costs, the emergency reduction of HWRCs in the borough has been agreed.
“The emergency closure of Bollington, Poynton and Middlewich is currently targeted to take place in the next two to three months.
“The council is working to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible and as part of this, will be putting in place mitigation measures.
“These will include later mid-week evening opening hours at its four core sites, and the introduction, on a trial basis, of a mobile household waste recycling service.
“The final details of these mitigation measures continue to be developed,” it added.
“We will be engaging with town councils to explore opportunities for working in partnership to support HWRC services in their local areas.” ●●Poynton Household Waste Recycling Centre