Urgent review announced into recycling centre closures

An urgent review is to be carried out into the impact of reducing the opening days of the county’s five household waste recycling centres, Powys County Council’s cabinet has announced.

The county council reduced the opening days of the county’s five centres to three days a week in April and introduced restriction on the type of vehicle that could use them as part of budget saving measures and news of the new review has been welcomed by Welshpool Councillor Graham Breeze.

Cabinet member for Waste, Councillor Phyl Davies said: “I have called for a very urgent review of the impact of the changes introduced at the county’s household waste and recycling centres. We will also look again at the vehicle restrictions that were introduced at the same time.

“Powys is committed to reducing waste and increasing recycling rates but the recent changes have sent out mixed messages and we need to reassure the public. The changes have attracted considerable comment and were the centre of public concern during the council election campaign.

“It was always the council’s intention to review the impact of the changes but I have asked for that work to take place as a matter of urgency.

“This cabinet is committed to delivering changes for the residents of Powys and tackling the issues that are causing most concern,” he added.   

Opening days at the five household waste centres at Welshpool, Newtown, Brecon, Llandegley and Ystradgynlais were reduced in February.

The review was welcomed by County Councillor Graham Breeze, who has been campaigning against the cutbacks since they were touted as potential cost savings last year.

“This is a very welcome development and was inevitable considering the weight of opposition there is across the whole county of Powys to these disastrous cutbacks.

“We all recognise that savings have to be made but the long-term strategy of closing household waste recycling centres is badly flawed and the review is essential.

“Top of virtually every new candidate’s agenda in the county council election campaign was restoring recycling centres. Now as a new council we have the opportunity to follow through on the promises that were made.

“I applaud the Portfolio Holder for his immediate action in calling for a full review.”