Budget restrictions force Heywood recycling centre closure

The Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority have today (Friday 18 March 2011) confirmed in principle that the household waste recycling centre on Peel Street in Heywood will close – as part of a bid to save money.

A further three sites across Greater Manchester will also close.

The decision is subject to ratification at the next Authority meeting on the 17 June 2011. Results from further consultation with all district councils about closure, and finalising of the equality impact assessment will be considered.

In February 2011, the Authority reported that they were looking at the potential options to rationalise the network of HWRCS and consultations were being carried out. The Authority said that it was a possibility to close some of their sites in Greater Manchester due to Budget savings.
A petition was received at the Authority meeting in to the Peel Lane site.

GMWDA currently provides 25 HWRCs for use by members of the public across Greater Manchester. 18 sites have either been newly created, or extensively refurbished and extended to create “super sites.”  The best performing of these sites is already diverting almost 90% of waste deposited away from landfill.

The HWRCs located across Greater Manchester, typically serve a 3 mile radius, however, in some cases there are brand new sites within a short distance from older sites that due to their limited size, have received little or no development.

Councillor Neil Swannick, Chair GMWDA said: “I don’t want to close any sites at all, but the reality is the district councils who pay a levy to GMWDA are under considerable pressure from the Government. We have been asked to make savings where we can and to use our money to the best advantage.”