Hempsted Household Recycling Centre set to reopen in December

The centre has been temporarily closed while Gloucestershire County Council carried out a range of upgrades to improve the site and help provide a more efficient and reliable service.

It was originally expected to reopen in mid-November, but unavoidable delays with some equipment from suppliers has meant that a little more time was needed to complete the work.

Work completed so far includes concreting of the central yard, drainage improvements, repairs to the tipping wall, new tarmac and fencing, and delivery of nine new containers. Three of the six new waste compactors have also now arrived at the site.

A new reuse shop is expected to open early next year, giving suitable items brought to the centre the opportunity to be reused rather than thrown away.

Further work will take place before the centre reopens, including electrical work, road markings and the return of recycling banks and containers. Work to install four electric vehicle charging points to support the service is also continuing.

Bookings for vans, pickups and large trailers will reopen from Saturday 14 November, followed by car bookings from Saturday 21 November.

Pyke Quarry HRC will continue to open seven days a week until Hempsted reopens. It will then return to six-day opening, with its usual Wednesday closure restarting on 9 December.

Cllr Ashley Bowkett, cabinet member for nature, climate and waste reduction, said: “We know people will be keen to see Hempsted reopen and I’d like to thank residents for their patience while these improvements are completed.

“Some supplier delays has meant the work has taken a little longer than we had hoped, but work is continuing across the site and we’re looking forward to welcoming residents back in December.

“These improvements will help provide a better, more efficient and reliable recycling service for residents.”