Norfolk recycling centres shutting Wednesdays in savings bid

The Conservative-controlled Norfolk County Council cabinet members voted to approve the move this week in a bid to save £200,000 a year.

All 19 recycling centres will be closed on Wednesdays as part of the plans, which have been introduced in an effort to plug a £60m gap in its finances.

Leaders feared the closures could lead to a surge in fly-tipping (Image: Nick Butcher)

Speaking at a cabinet meeting this week, James Bensley, cabinet member for environment and waste, said the closures will bring Norfolk in line with Suffolk and will help make the service more sustainable.

"We have had six recycling centres running part-time for 10 years," he said.

"Visitor numbers show Wednesday remains one of the quietest days a week. We recommend for Norfolk to match Suffolk to help prevent cross-border waste arriving."

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Recycling centres going part-time will save £200,000 a year (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Closing on Wednesdays is one of two measures proposed by NCC that will change how recycling centres are managed.

A booking system is also set to be implemented later this year. It is hoped this will help prevent trade waste from being dumped under the guise of it being domestic waste. 

The decision comes despite 62pc of people who responded to a consultation disagreeing or strongly disagreeing with the proposals.

People told the council they were concerned that it would lead to an increase in fly-tipping - a fear that has also been raised by Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat council leaders.

But NCC has said Suffolk has not experienced any increase after it introduced the measures. 

The recycling centre closures is one of several saving measures agreed by NCC, which also includes cutting the amount of support given to disabled people and switching off street lights.