Residents in Cheltenham and Gloucester have expressed significant frustration over the closure of local household recycling centres, which has forced many to travel long distances across Gloucestershire to dispose of their household waste.
The Hempsted household recycling centre (HRC), situated on the outskirts of Gloucester, closed this week for essential improvement works and environmental upgrades. It is expected to remain closed until mid-November. As a result, Gloucester city centre residents must rely on the nearest HRC at Wingmoor Farm near Bishop’s Cleeve, approximately 12 miles away.
Meanwhile, Cheltenham residents have faced an even longer absence of a local tip since January 2022, when council leaders cited the estimated £1 million cost needed to update the Swindon Road site as unaffordable. Despite discussions between Cheltenham Borough Council’s Liberal Democrat leaders and their counterparts at Gloucestershire County Council, no agreement has yet been reached for the county council to assume responsibility and reopen the site.
READ MORE: Long Delays on M5 in Gloucestershire Following Crash
READ MORE: Laura Collett and Tom McEwen Propel GB to Eventing Team Gold at World Championships
This situation means that residents from both Cheltenham and Gloucester must compete for a limited number of booking slots at the four remaining household recycling centres in Gloucestershire, which have become increasingly overloaded.
Adding to the difficulties, residents were given just 24 hours' notice last week that fridges and freezers would no longer be accepted at household recycling centres, further increasing public discontent.
Vernon Smith, leader of the Reform UK group for Tewkesbury West, commented on the situation: “First, they shut the Swindon Road site in Cheltenham with vague promises of reopening that never materialised, and now Hempsted in Gloucester is closed for months. On top of that, new government regulations prevent residents from easily disposing of old fridges and freezers, effectively telling people to store decaying white goods in their back gardens or spare rooms.
“The Liberal Democrats are dismantling our local infrastructure piece by piece while imposing additional red tape. People are being forced to drive miles across the county, burning expensive fuel, only to compete for a handful of hard-to-book slots at the remaining overloaded sites. Disposing of household rubbish isn’t a complex environmental puzzle – it’s a fundamental service residents pay council tax for.”
In response, Councillor Lisa Spivey (South Cerney), leader of the Liberal Democrat administration at Gloucestershire County Council, said the criticism was disappointing but not unexpected. She emphasised that investment and improvements to local facilities remain a priority, citing the ongoing works at Hempsted as evidence of this commitment.
“Although the closure of Hempsted HRC for three months will inconvenience residents, we sincerely thank them for their patience during this essential project,” she said.
“Maintaining our household recycling centres is a key priority, and we have a rolling investment programme to ensure sites remain safe, efficient, and fit for the future. The scale and complexity of the upgrade at Hempsted necessitate this temporary closure.
“During the closure, residents can continue to use Pyke Quarry and Wingmoor Farm HRCs as alternatives. Pyke Quarry has extended its opening from six to seven days a week to help accommodate more visitors.
“Our booking system remains crucial in managing demand, minimising queues, and informing residents promptly about any service disruptions, such as the current national issues affecting fridge and freezer recycling.
“To suggest that this is anything other than a commitment to improving Gloucestershire’s facilities and streamlining processes is simply unfounded. The Liberal Democrats were elected to deliver change and improvements, which is exactly what we are doing.”
Gloucestershire County Council has acknowledged that the disruption to fridge and freezer recycling is a nationwide issue caused by difficulties at reprocessing plants.
“Aware of the inconvenience, the council will restore fridge and freezer acceptance at household recycling centres as soon as reliable collections resume, and will keep residents informed,” a council spokesperson added.