New fears voiced as Sugden End tip closure date is confirmed

The household waste recycling centre at Sugden End, Cross Roads, and two others in the Bradford district, shut for good on Easter Sunday, March 31.

Bradford Council is closing the facilities in a bid to save cash.

But Worth Valley Conservative councillor Rebecca Poulsen describes the move as "short-sighted".

She says: "Given the speed of the closure, it is clear this had already been planned and no notice was taken of the consultation process.

"I have enquired about the opening hours at Keighley household waste recycling centre, where Worth Valley residents will have to travel to instead, and I'm advised that the hours have not been changed. Currently it closes on a Saturday afternoon, which means residents across the Worth Valley, Keighley, Silsden and Ilkley won’t have anywhere in the area to take recycling and rubbish on a Saturday afternoon. The opening times at Keighley should have been sorted out before looking at closure dates.

"I'm contacted daily with concerns about the impact of fly-tipping when the Sugden End site closes and the extra cost to Bradford Council of clearing it.

"Residents are extremely worried about the closure and the impact this will have across the Worth Valley and the wider area, and the short-sighted decision that the Labour-led council has made."

Bradford Council – which is also closing the household waste recycling centres at Ford Hill, Queensbury, and Golden Butts in Ilkley – says signs will be displayed at each site giving details of alternative facilities where residents can take items.

The council adds that the three sites were chosen because they are the least used in the district, and that their closure will save £900,000 a year.

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, portfolio holder for healthy people and places, says: "We know that many people are unhappy with these closures. We’re not happy ourselves having to make these cuts, but unfortunately the council’s financial situation means we need to go ahead with closure."