Dudley MP Sonia Kumar has urged the council to establish a household waste recycling centre (HWRC) in the north of the borough, emphasizing that waste disposal services are essential rather than a luxury.
Current Waste Provision Challenges
The borough currently operates just one HWRC on Birmingham Street in Stourbridge, leaving northern residents without convenient access.
In a letter to council leader Cllr Patrick Harley, Ms Kumar stated: “While I understand that the council has proposed plans for a new centralised household waste recycling centre, these proposals do not address the immediate challenges facing residents today.”
She highlighted the success of previous temporary or ‘pop-up’ waste facilities in the north, which residents used and welcomed. Ms Kumar calls for reinstating regular accessible facilities there, with pop-up tips serving as an interim solution.
Council’s Response and Planned Review
Cllr Damian Corfield, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and Sedgley ward representative, addressed concerns at a January Communities and Growth Scrutiny Committee meeting.
He confirmed a strategic review of HWRC provision, with budget funding allocated specifically for the north of Dudley. “There is funding in the budget to provide HWRC provision of some sort,” Cllr Corfield said. “We are not sure exactly what that is yet but the importance of having provision in the north is key and we have factored that in.”
Although no exact opening date is set, Cllr Corfield expressed hope for implementation within the financial year.
