Residents of Cheltenham and Gloucester are expressing growing frustration due to the closure of key household recycling centres (HRCs), leading to long journeys across Gloucestershire to dispose of waste.
The HRC in Hempsted, located on the outskirts of Gloucester, has been closed since this week to carry out significant improvements and environmental upgrades. The site is not expected to reopen until mid-November.
For those living in Gloucester city centre, the nearest recycling centre is currently the Wingmoor Farm facility near Bishop’s Cleeve, approximately 12 miles away. Meanwhile, Cheltenham residents have been without their local tip facility since January last year when council officials announced they could not afford an estimated £1 million needed to upgrade the Swindon Road site.
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Despite negotiations between Cheltenham’s Liberal Democrat leaders and county council representatives aiming for Shire Hall to assume responsibility and reopen the Cheltenham site, it remains closed. This situation has left residents in both areas struggling to secure limited booking slots at the remaining four heavily burdened sites across the county.
Adding to the public dissatisfaction, residents were informed with just 24 hours’ notice last week that household recycling centres would no longer accept fridges and freezers, due to nationally imposed reprocessing challenges.
Vernon Smith, leader of the Reform UK group and councillor for Tewkesbury West, criticised the closures and restrictions, stating: “First the Swindon Road site in Cheltenham was shut with vague reopening promises, now Hempsted is closed for months. On top of that, residents can’t get rid of old fridges or freezers easily, effectively forcing them to store decaying appliances at home.
“The Liberal Democrats are dismantling local infrastructure bit by bit while adding more bureaucracy. People are being forced to drive significant distances, using expensive fuel, just to compete for scarce booking slots at overloaded sites.
“Disposing of household rubbish isn’t a complex environmental issue; it is an essential service that residents contribute to through their council tax.”
In response, Councillor Lisa Spivey, leader of the Liberal Democrat administration at Shire Hall and representative for South Cerney, acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the Hempsted closure but underscored the council’s commitment to upgrading county facilities.
“While it is disappointing to face such criticism, we are focusing on vital investments to improve services residents depend upon,” she said. “The closure is necessary because of the project’s scale and complexity. During this period, residents can use Pyke Quarry and Wingmoor Farm recycling centres, with Pyke Quarry extending opening hours to seven days a week to accommodate more visitors.
“Our booking system remains crucial for managing demand, reducing queues, and keeping residents informed of any service disruptions, including the current national challenges with fridge and freezer recycling.
“To suggest these actions do not signify dedication to improving Gloucestershire’s waste facilities is simply inaccurate. The Liberal Democrats were elected to enact positive change and that is precisely what we strive to do daily.”
A Gloucestershire County Council spokesperson confirmed that difficulties with fridge and freezer recycling are national issues related to reprocessing plants. They stated: “We understand the inconvenience this causes. Once collections resume reliably, household recycling centres will accept these appliances again, and we will promptly notify Gloucestershire residents.”