Lib Dems push for more opening hours at Hunters Lane Recycling Centre

Lib Dems push for more opening hours at Hunters Lane Recycling Centre

More than 400 extra appointments a week as councillors press for longer opening hours

Liberal Democrat councillors are continuing to press Warwickshire County Council for improvements at Hunters Lane Household Waste Recycling Centre, one of the busiest recycling centres in the county.

Residents have raised concerns about the pressure on the site, particularly at weekends, and the difficulties caused by the booking system and limited opening hours.

Following representations from Liberal Democrat councillors, Warwickshire County Council has confirmed that the number of booking slots at Hunters Lane is being increased from 14 to 16 every 15 minutes from Saturday 8 August.

That will create capacity for more than 400 additional appointments each week.

The County Council has also confirmed that it is investigating whether staff would be willing to work overtime to extend opening hours by an additional hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for the remainder of the summer. Wednesday already has a later closing time of 5.45pm.

However, councillors have been told that extending weekend opening hours further this summer would be difficult because staffing arrangements and shift patterns are agreed well in advance.

Liberal Democrat councillors believe that weekend opening hours need particular attention.

Hunters Lane is a physically smaller site than some other household waste recycling centres and has to accommodate a large number of visitors within a restricted layout. Longer opening hours could help spread demand and make it easier for residents to dispose of household waste safely and conveniently.

The County Council has also confirmed that it will carry out a wider review of the operation of all its household waste recycling centres in the autumn, once the peak summer period has passed and there is more information about how the booking arrangements are working.

Liberal Democrat councillors will continue to press for Hunters Lane to receive the capacity and opening hours that local residents need.

Stephen Pimm and Jerry Roodhouse said 

“Hunters Lane is one of the busiest recycling centres in Warwickshire and residents deserve a service that reflects that demand.

“We welcome the immediate increase in appointment capacity and the fact that the County Council is looking at additional weekday hours.

“But we particularly want to see the issue of weekend opening hours addressed. People work during the week and weekends are often the only practical time for them to visit the recycling centre.

“We will continue to make the case for longer and more flexible opening hours and will be looking closely at the County Council’s autumn review.”