Recycling centres' hours cut

The changes at the council’s 20 centres form part of its overall requirement to save approximately £170 million before 2019/20 as a result of reductions in government funding.

The Household Waste Recyling Centres (HWRCs) have been open until 7pm between April and September, and until 5pm in October and March, but from April they will close earlier.

From April 1 the new opening times for all HWRCs will be:

• April to September, 8.30am to 5pm

• October to March, 8.30am to 4pm.

Residents currently pay to dispose of hardcore, rubble and plasterboard waste.

From April, charges will be made to cover the cost of disposing of vehicle tyres.

County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, Executive Member for Waste Management, said: “We know the household waste recycling centres across North Yorkshire provide a highly valued service. We would prefer not to have to make changes to the service, but because of reducing Government funding we need to save money and are doing all we can to keep the impact on residents to a minimum.

“HWRCs are used by relatively few people after 5pm, so closing earlier in the summer will affect as few users as possible.

“HWRCs already close on Wednesday, but all will remain open six days each week, including Saturday and Sunday.”