Bradford Council has confirmed it is looking at options to reopen at least one household waste recycling centre after public complaints about long queues and limited opening times since the closure of three tips in 2024.
Council launches wider review of recycling services
The possible reversal forms part of a broader review of the authority's waste and recycling provision, discussed during Wednesday evening's full council meeting at Bradford City Hall. Councillors pressed the executive over reports of congestion at remaining sites such as Keighley, concerns about increased fly‑tipping and confusion caused by inconsistent public messaging on opening days.
Ian Walker, the council's spokesperson for neighbourhoods and communities, told councillors:
"I can confirm that we are looking at various options regarding all of the household waste sites."
In a written response to questions, Mr Walker said the council has authorised the use of almost £6m of dedicated funding to "develop a range of business cases aimed at enhancing waste services and increasing recycling rates."
Residents report delays and disruption
Opposition councillors said closures last year — described by the authority at the time as saving about £1m a year while keeping at least one site in every constituency — have generated long queues at the remaining household waste recycling centres (HWRCs). Concerns were also raised about a mistaken announcement on the council's website that two sites would be open on a bank holiday, which reportedly led to "hundreds" of people being turned away.
- Longer waiting times and reduced hours at key sites such as Keighley
- Reports of increased fly‑tipping in some areas following closures
- Public confusion after inconsistent information about bank‑holiday opening
While the council said there is "no direct evidence linking HWRC usage levels with fly‑tipping volumes," it accepted the remaining sites are experiencing higher visitor numbers and greater tonnages of waste since the closures.
Next steps and what residents should expect
The review will develop business cases for possible service changes, funded from the allocated £6m. The authority emphasised closures were originally introduced to keep services within approved budgets, but the new work could consider reopening a site or altering service patterns if that proves feasible and cost‑effective.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Funding approved to improve recycling | Almost £6m |
| Estimated annual savings from 2024 closures | About £1m |
| Number of tips closed in 2024 | Three |
Councillors have urged the executive to move swiftly so residents can have clearer information about opening hours and to reduce the queues that have become common at some HWRCs. The council has not yet announced a timetable for the review's conclusions or any immediate changes to opening arrangements.
Residents seeking up‑to‑date information should check the council's official channels for confirmed opening times rather than relying on social media reports, councillors said at the meeting.
