Tip-wrecked - it will be out of action until November after damage spree

The centre on Halifax Road, Todmorden, will be closed until November following the incident which also saw a cabin set on fire.

The man, who is an employee of site contractor SITA UK, will appear before Calderdale Magistrates’ on Wednesday, July 30.

Calderdale Council and SITA UK have launched their own investigations following the incident, which happened at 7.44am and also saw a hut burned to the ground.

The incident caused extensive damage to the site, which was only re-opened in January after a major renovation project, and the council and SITA are working together to clear the mess and appoint a contractor to carry out repairs.

The majority of equipment on the site has to be replaced - a cost which will be covered by SITA UK’s insurer.

In the meantime, residents have been told to use alternative recycling sites - on Milner Royd Mearclough, Sowerby Bridge, or Lee Bank, Ovenden Road, Halifax, and the temporary waste disposal arrangements that were put in place when the tip was last closed have been re-instated.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Environment, Coun Barry Collins, said: “We want to assure people that we’re doing all we can to get Eastwood back up and running as quickly as possible. November is the estimated reopening date because it will take time to carry out the repairs to the best possible standard, and to get hold of the required equipment and materials.

“Since the refurbishment, lots of people have told us how much they liked the new facilities, and we will make sure the repairs and replacements are of the same top quality.

“In the meantime, we have set up temporary services to help residents continue to recycle and dispose of their household waste during the closure period.”

The temporary waste disposal arrangements are as follows:

l an additional two bags of refuse on waste collection days will be collected in Todmorden and Hebden Bridge during the closure period.

l temporary garden waste collections for selected parts of Todmorden and Hebden Bridge on alternate Saturdays from Saturday, August 9, until Eastwood reopens. Properties on the garden collection route will receive a letter about the service, and a garden sack if they don’t already have one.

l several community clean up days will take place to help remove residents’ bulkier items.

A spokesperson for SITA UK said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused and aim to reopen the site as quickly as possible.”