By KLTV Newsdesk –

Kirklees Council, in partnership with SUEZ, has announced the closure of the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) at Nab Lane, Birstall.

This decision is part of the budget-saving measures outlined in the 2024/25 Budget, which was approved by Full Council in March.

As part of the budget-setting process, a review of operating days at all HWRCs across the district was undertaken.

Following this review and subsequent consultation, Kirklees Council has decided to close the Nab Lane site.

The decision was based on the need for significant investment in the facility and data showing that Nab Lane is the least used of the district’s five HWRCs.

Revised Operations

In addition to the closure, Kirklees Council will revise the operating days at two other HWRCs. From late autumn, the Meltham site on Bent Ley Road will reduce its operating days to five per week, opening from Wednesday to Sunday.

Similarly, the Bromley Farm site in Upper Cumberworth will operate from Friday to Tuesday.

The reduction in operating days is based on a usage review conducted by SUEZ, which determined that sharing resources across both sites would ensure they remain open during peak times.

‘Modern Standards’

Councillor Munir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways, commented on the closure: “Nab Lane is not built to the modern split-level standards and would require significant investment to bring the site in line with the other four HWRCs.

“The level of investment required, around £7 million, is unaffordable.

“The review shows the remaining HWRCs have the capacity to cope with increased vehicle numbers and waste, with Weaving Lane in Dewsbury being the nearest site to Nab Lane for those wishing to use the facilities.”

Closure Plans

The closure of Nab Lane and the changes to the operating days at Meltham and Upper Cumberworth are expected to take effect in late autumn, though an exact date has yet to be confirmed.

Once Nab Lane closes, the nearest HWRC for residents will be the site at Weaving Lane, Dewsbury. The other HWRC locations in the district are:

• Emerald Street (off Hillhouse Lane), Huddersfield, HD1 6BY
• Bent Ley Road, Meltham, Huddersfield, HD9 4AP
• Bromley Farm, Upper Cumberworth (off Barnsley Road), Huddersfield, HD8 8NN
• Weaving Lane, off Thornhill Road, Dewsbury, WF12 9QR
• Nab Lane, off Pheasant Drive, Birstall, WF17 9LR

The HWRCs operate with the following opening times:

Summer:

• Monday to Friday: 8am to 5pm
• Saturday: 8am to 4pm
• Sunday: 8am to 4pm

Winter:

• Monday to Friday: 8am to 4pm
• Saturday: 8am to 4pm
• Sunday: 9am to 4pm

The sites are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. Opening times will change when clocks go back on 27 October 2024.

For further information on items accepted at the HWRCs, residents are encouraged to visit the Kirklees Council website at www.kirklees.gov.uk/wastesites.