Mid Ulster recycling centre consultation open to views

People are being urged to have their say on plans to make changes to Mid Ulster District Council’s Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) opening hours.

The 12-week consultation is open until Friday, July 5, with proposals for a reduction in opening hours across the 11 recycling centres operated by the Council.

These proposals include; Cookstown, Drumcoo, and Magherafelt HWRCs would open two evenings in the summer instead of three evenings.

Coalisland and Moneymore HWRCs would open one evening in the summer instead of two evenings.

Maghera HWRC would open four weekdays as well as a half day on a Saturday.

Castledawson, Draperstown, Fivemiletown, Tullyvar, and Ballymacombs HWRCs would open three weekdays as well as a half day Saturday.

While the above proposals represents an overall reduction in site opening hours, a balanced approach has been taken to ensure that provision is available on every weekday across particular areas as far as possible.

For example, in the Clogher Valley area, it is proposed that when the site at Fivemiletown is closed on Tuesday and Thursday, the nearest site at Tullyvar will be open, and vice versa on Monday and Wednesday.

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Dominic Molloy is encouraging everyone to give their views.

“We want to know what people think of our pragmatic proposals that make savings but also minimise any impact on residents. As a Council, we’re doing what we can to make services as efficient as possible, but the growing pressures mean we have to make tough decisions like the ones put forward here. Please complete the consultation as we really do welcome everyone’s thoughts,” he said.

Ballinascreen based Aontú representative, Noreen McEldowney is encouraging locals to have their say in relation to the Draperstown facility.

“We now know that Mid Ulster District Counci is proposing to reduce the Draperstown skip operating hours from six days a week to three and a half days per week,” said Mrs McEldowney.

“We in Aontú are opposed to any reductions in this service. Last year the council considered closing the Draperstown recycling site completely,” she continued.

“Following an Aontú led campaign to reverse the decision and public uproar, the matter was then put to a ‘council working group,’ to consider other options.

“Now the public consultation process has opened, we have become aware that the council wants to reduce the Draperstown skip operating hours by almost half. This would have a massive impact on the local community and businesses.

“History has proven that once a service is reduced, it is the beginning of the end.

“Take for example the local out of hours in Moneymore, which no longer exists. It is therefore essential, that the local people inform the council that they do not want to see any reduction in operating times at the Draperstown site.” 

Mrs McEldowney continued: “The 12-week consultation process is open until Friday 5 July and views can be given online by completing the consultation questionnaire available at www.midulstercouncil.org/RecyclingCentreConsultation. Hard copies are also available at Draperstown skip. People can also contact the council directly on the matter by emailing their feedback directly to recycling@ midulstercouncil.org using the subject heading: ‘Response to Council Recycling Centre Opening Hours Consultation’.”

Mrs McEldowney concluded: “The local skip is a vital service to our community. To reduce Draperstown’s operating hours by three days would lead to more fly tipping and also have a negative impact on local businesses.

“We are all aware of the massive issue of climate change, councils should be doing more to ensure our environment and area of natural and outstanding beauty is protected, not put into jeopardy.

“The population of Draperstown is growing, therefore the last thing this community needs to see is a reduction in vital community services.”

The consultation is open until Friday, July 5 at 12 noon, and views can be given by completing the consultation questionnaire available at midulstercouncil.org/RecyclingCentreConsultation