The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Calls to fix recycling site floods
Local politicians have called for a long-term solution after flooding forced Dundee’s Riverside recycling centre to shut for a tenth day.
The facility has been closed since November 19 after heavy rain caused havoc around Tayside.
Dundee City Council has not confirmed when the site will reopen, with efforts to pump water out continuing.
Locals have been advised to use the Baldovie recycling centre in the meantime.
Councillor Fraser Macpherson feels the centre closing has a big impact on residents and wants the issue resolved.
He said: “I’m anxious this gets resolved as quickly as possible.
“West end residents are being told they have to go to Baldovie for recycling, that’s a seven-mile trip.
“It’s not good for the environment having people travel across the city.”
The West End councillor feels a more long-term resolution is needed to stop flooding having such an impact.
He added: “We can’t keep having 10-day closures.
“Steps need to be taken to avoid these closures as it’s certainly not the first time this year it has happened.
“The ground there sits very low and close to the River Tay.
“We have a good city engineering team, and to be fair to the council, a lot of flood defence work has been done, especially in the east end and towards Broughty Ferry.
“Engineers need to look at additional measures to ensure that the site and the road into the site stops flooding.”
West End Community Council chairman Gary Langlands echoed the fears.
He told The Courier: “It’s very inconvenient for anyone wanting to use the facility. It could also be linked to fly-tipping, which isn’t desirable.
“People might be reluctant to make the journey to Baldovie, especially if they don’t know if it will be open either.
“That could incentivise people to dump waste anywhere.”
The city council confirmed it is working to get the centre reopened.
A spokesperson said: “We are working on safely reopening the Riverside centre at the earliest opportunity.
“Residents will be updated on the resumption of the service through the usual channels.”