Councils fail to agree on waste site sharing

News imageGoogle An entrance to a recycling centre with a metal gate, surrounded by hedges and a red car and two vans parked in front of large purple blocks behind thatGoogle
Dudley Council had asked if its residents could use the Anchor Lane recycling centre too

Wolverhampton's Anchor Lane recycling centre will remain for city residents only.

Dudley Council said it had been discussing the possibility of its residents using the site too, but an agreement could not be reached.

It said the outcome was "disappointing", but it would continue talks in the hope of "a positive long-term solution".

City of Wolverhampton Council said it was open to discussions, but "any agreement needed to demonstrate clear and balanced benefits for both councils".

Stephen Simkins, leader of the city council, said his first priority was "to always provide the best possible services for the residents of Wolverhampton".

He added: "If we were to give access to people living outside of the city, it would reduce capacity and negatively impact our own residents who are the ones who fund and rely on it."

The Dudley councillor responsible for neighbourhoods, Damian Corfield, said he was "grateful for the ongoing conversation" with Wolverhampton.

He also said his authority would spend £150,000 to pay for more pop-up tips at its Lister Road depot in Dudley and The Northway Depot in Sedgley.

The extra spending would allow them to take place four times a month instead of just twice, he said.

Corfield said they had been "extremely popular" since their launch in March.

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