Calderdale Council’s new administration has announced that all five household waste and recycling centres across the borough will be reopened seven days a week by Christmas, and says the change will be achieved without increasing costs to local taxpayers.
What is changing
The decision reverses a policy introduced by the previous Labour administration that saw each site closed for one or two days each week as a saving measure. The partial closures were originally adopted as an alternative to the complete loss of the Elland centre.
Under the new plan, the sites at Brighouse, Halifax, Elland, Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden will return to full seven‑day opening ahead of the busy Christmas and New Year period, the council said.
Why the change can be made now
Senior figures in the ruling Reform UK group said a detailed review of the council’s arrangements with its waste partners identified options to restore fuller opening hours without additional calls on Council Tax. The announcement comes as the borough prepares for a change in the operator of its waste contract: on 1 August a new company in which the council is a partner, Calderdale Norse Ltd, will take over from current operator Suez.
“One of the most frequent complaints we’ve heard from residents is that the tips aren’t open at convenient times, and I understand their frustration,”
said Coun Peter Hunt, the cabinet member for public services, welcoming the reversal. He said residents should monitor the council website for up‑to‑date opening times as the changes are introduced.
Council leader Coun Dan Sutherland described the announcement as a benefit secured by his administration’s close scrutiny of the partnership arrangements. He said their review had uncovered additional advantages that had been previously overlooked and which would help households across Calderdale.
Practical information for residents
- The five household waste and recycling centres affected are: Brighouse, Halifax, Elland, Sowerby Bridge, Todmorden.
- The seven‑day openings will be implemented by the end of the year and ahead of Christmas and New Year.
- Exact opening hours and any transitional arrangements will be published on Calderdale Council’s website.
| Site | Status announced |
|---|---|
| Brighouse | Return to seven‑day opening |
| Halifax | Return to seven‑day opening |
| Elland | Return to seven‑day opening |
| Sowerby Bridge | Return to seven‑day opening |
| Todmorden | Return to seven‑day opening |
Residents who rely on the centres for household and garden waste are likely to welcome the move, particularly during the festive season when recycling and disposal demand increases. The council has asked people to check the website for the precise timetable as services switch to the revised pattern.
This change forms part of broader adjustments to Calderdale’s waste services as responsibility for collection and management transfers to Calderdale Norse Ltd from early August.
Further operational details, including any temporary measures during the transition of contractors, will be released by the council in the coming weeks.
