MIDDLEWICH tip won’t be mothballed next week but will stay open for another couple of months until Cheshire East Council sorts out alternative provision.

The household waste recycling centres at Bollington, Middlewich and Poynton were all due to close on April 1.

The ‘emergency closures’ were voted through at the council’s budget meeting in February in a bid to save an estimated £750,000 in the coming 2024/25 financial year.

Now the cash-strapped council says the closures of all three – which have sparked anger across the borough – are expected to happen in two to three months.

Northwich Guardian: Poynton tip closure has also been delayedPoynton tip closure has also been delayed (Image: Google)

It hasn’t explained what the financial implication of the delay will be on the budget.

A statement released by the council today (Wednesday) says: “The emergency closure of Bollington, Poynton and Middlewich HWRCs 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 – Alsager, Crewe, Knutsford and Macclesfield - and the introduction, on a trial basis, of a mobile household waste recycling service for residents in the Bollington, Poynton and Middlewich areas.”

It continues: “The final details of these mitigation measures continue to be developed but will be timed to go live at the same time to limit any disruption as much as possible.”

Cheshire East has promised a further update over the coming weeks and adds: “For now, all HWRCs in Cheshire East can be accessed as normal.

“The council will be engaging with town councils to explore opportunities for working in partnership to support HWRC services in their local areas.”