Council cite ‘government advice’ as they reject MP call to reopen recycling centre following increase in fly-tipping

Wrexham’s MP has called for the county borough’s main recycling centre to be re-opened to allow residents to get rid of household rubbish safely.

It follows a reported increase in fly tipping and garden bonfires after the facility on the town’s industrial estate was closed temporarily due to the coronavirus crisis.

Wrexham Council said it had taken the decision as travelling to the centre on Bryn Lane was viewed as non-essential under lockdown restrictions put in place by the government.

But Conservative MP Sarah Atherton has insisted the local authority should reconsider the move “as a matter of priority”.

In a letter to the council’s chief executive Ian Bancroft, she said: “Many of my constituents have written to me raising issues regarding disposing of household waste and the temporary closure of the tip.

“As I am sure you know, there has been an increase in fly tipping and an increase in household garden bonfires despite the advice from the fire service and council in the local press advising against bonfires.

“Temporarily closing the tip inconveniences residents and potentially creates dangerous problems elsewhere, such as garden fires.

“Providing social distances measures are adhered to and staff and residents remain safe, I believe reopening the tip should be looked into as a matter of priority.”

The closures came into effect at all three of the county borough’s household waste recycling centres earlier this month.

The council defended the decision at the time and issued advice on ways to get rid of rubbish in the meantime.

In response to Ms Atherton’s request, the authority’s deputy leader said the recycling centres would remain closed until it is safe to re-open and had been shut based on government guidance.

Cllr David A Bithell, lead member for environment and transport, said: “Wrexham, along with every other local authority in Wales, has closed household recycling centres in line with government advice.

“A visit to one is not classed as an essential journey. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the vast majority of householders who are supportive of all that we and our partners are doing in order to keep the public and our staff safe.

“We will of course re-open them when it is safe to do so and government advice changes.

“For now the message remains to stay at home except for essential journeys, stay safe and save lives.”

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme)