Milton Keynes plans new recycling centre to deal with excess rubbish

Milton Keynes council is looking to develop a new recycling tip to help it cope with the amount of waste from residents in the south of the town.

But the Labour-run council is facing criticism from opposition councillors that it isn't doing enough in the short term to create more slots for residents to book to get rid of their lockdown rubbish.

Conservative councillor Dan Gilbert says the ruling group should be being "more creative" and faster in generating more slots for people to book.

This, he said, could mean opening the sites for longer, and adopting the Government's new one metre-plus social distancing guidelines.

Labour councillor Emily Darlington says the number of slots that people can book have "almost doubled" just this week and they are keeping the situation under regular review.

On the subject of a possible "super tip" she said council officers have been tasked with coming up with a range of options.

The coronavirus pandemic had highlighted that the current Bleak Hall Recycling Centre does not have enough capacity to cope with the demand.

A shortlist of options is due to be presented in weeks, including possibly closing Bleak Hall and opening a larger site, or having two sites. A new site could take between six months and one year to introduce.

Cllr Darlington said the bookings situation is being regularly reviewed, taking into account new advice and information.