Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) have announced some changes to its Household Waste Recycling Centres in St Helens that will come into place at the end of March 2014.
The Ravenhead Recycling Centre at Burtonhead Road in St Helens will reopen on Monday 31st March 2014 after an extensive redevelopment.
Improvements to the Centre include a new split-level layout to make depositing of waste and recyclables easier, with a canopy over the skip area and a new Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) building.
A new access road for operational and public vehicles incorporates bypass lanes to allow residents vehicles to exit or overtake when skips are occupied. The site also has additional road space and improved traffic management, which will keep vehicles off the highway.
The redeveloped Centre has a redesigned layout to help recycling and improve residents experience on site. The redeveloped Centre will be open to public:
• 1st April – 30th September: 8.00 am to 8.00 pm
• 1st October – 31st March: 8.00 am to 5.00 pm
Cllr Graham Morgan, MRWA Chairperson said: “We’re really excited to be reopening this popular Centre. This fantastic improved facility will contribute to achieving improved recycling and composting across Merseyside. When we consulted residents they told us they were keen to recycle more and the facility accommodates a wide range of different categories of waste containers for recycling. It is another step towards our aim of zero waste to landfill. This newly redeveloped Centre is much more pleasant experience for visitors, and will be easier to navigate, which will hopefully encourage more recycling.”
Carl Beer, MRWA Chief Executive said: “This redevelopment of this Recycling Centre is part of a drive to improve all our facilities, as well as build brand new ones. Merseyside needs to reduce its reliance on landfill and our push for new and improved waste management amenities will help us to achieve this.”
The Authority will also be permanently closing one its sites in St Helens. As announced in February 2013, the Rainford Recycling Centre, Southern’s Lane in Rainford will close on 31st March 2014.
Cllr Graham Morgan, MRWA Chairperson said: “With increasing financial pressures this is the first time during this economic downturn that the Authority has reduced its operational services in relation to the cuts in funding for public services.
“No-one likes to lose a local amenity, however I want to reassure residents in the St Helen’s area that there are excellent recycling facilities they can still access locally, including the kerbside collections provided by St Helens Council.”
Carl Beer, MRWA Chief Executive said: “The Rainford site also has a range of restrictions in terms of size, location and shorter operational hours. Given the relatively small tonnage of materials received on site and the investment in larger facilities like the Ravenhead Centre it is not cost effective to keep the Rainford Centre open.”