Council leader responds to decision not to reopen Haslingden recycling centre

The leader of Rossendale Council has asked Lancashire County Council to rethink its decision to keep the recycling centre in Haslingden closed despite others in the county reopening.

Councillor Alyson Barnes said she welcomed news county were reopening centres but said she was left very disappointed when it was confirmed Rossendale”s one would not be among them.

She said:

“I am writing to the leader of Lancashire County Council to urge him to reopen our household waste recycling centre. It’s disappointing Haslingden is one of only four sites in Lancashire which is remaining closed. I understand it is difficult process and residents and staff’s safety is paramount but I am sure appropriate social distancing measures could be implemented at Haslingden which would have allowed it to reopen.

“A lot of residents have raised the issue with me especially as it appears there has been a rise in fly tipping incidents in the borough.

“I understand Rossendale residents can use other centres in Lancashire but I don’t see this is a viable alternative for our borough. Residents will quite rightly be angry that they have to travel outside the borough when we have a local centre.”