Cheshire East Council closes Middlewich tip in money-saving move

Changes to household waste recycling centres in Cheshire East came into effect on Monday (August 5).

This has seen tips in Middlewich, Poynton and Bollington all put under an emergency temporary closure.

Residents in these areas will now have to visit one of the other HWRCs in the borough or book a slot for a mobile centre that will alternate between the three towns, each receiving one visit a month.

With this in mind, councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, is urging people to reduce their waste.

He said: “Before residents make a trip to a HWRC, I encourage them to think about whether any of the items they are wanting to get rid of could be given a new lease of life instead.

“There are so many options to reduce our waste and rethink recycling, such as donating items to charity shops, which usually accept items like furniture, toys and books.”

Opening hours have been extended at several tips, including Knutsford (Image: Google Maps)

The emergency closures aren’t the only changes that have been introduced.

HWRCs in Knutsford, Macclesfield, Crewe and Alsager will open for an extra hour during weekdays in August in September, meaning residents can visit up until 6pm.

However, residents wishing to visit these centres during weekends and Bank Holidays will now need to book a slot in advance in order to manage peak period service demand ‘safely and effectively’.

These changes have been introduced separately to an ongoing review of HWRCs and are on a temporary and trial basis to ensure essential savings are made in 2024/25. 

The council is currently forecasting a funding gap of £100m over the next four years and says it must continue to make difficult decisions to ensure it can support those most in need.

Councillor Warren added: “We have been working hard to reduce the impact the emergency closure of some of our HWRCs may have and have introduced a number of changes.

“This includes the booking system for visiting HWRCs at weekends and Bank Holidays, as well as for the mobile HWRC for the Bollington, Poynton and Middlewich areas.

“I would like to reassure residents that the online process for booking a slot is quick and easy. We have also updated our website with lots of information about how the system works.

“This includes information about what residents will need to take with them to the HWRC, how long in advance they can book, and when and where the mobile HWRC will be.”

Middlewich will be the first town to receive a visit from the mobile HWRC – this Saturday (August 10).

Dates and time slots for this service will be available soon on the online booking portal at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/hwrc.