'It's a 30-minute trip each way now to the tip'

Tip closures have led to lengthy queues and longer journeys for people wanting to get rid of their rubbish, residents have complained.

Three tips - formally known as household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) - were closed by Cheshire East Council (CEC) in 2024.

The nearest site for those living in the north of the county is now in Macclesfield, where increased demand has led to queues building up on the major road which runs next to it.

CEC said it recognised there were now longer journeys for some residents and stressed it had looked at ways to "improve access" for people who live further away, as well as looking to "make improvements" to its booking system for peak periods.

CEC also currently has HWRCs in Alsager, Crewe and Knutsford.

Congleton's tip closed in 2021 and three other sites closed three years later, in Bollington, Middlewich and Poynton.

CEC said it made the decision to "concentrate its limited resources on the HWRCs that are most used".

A spokesperson explained: "Cheshire East previously had one of the highest levels of HWRC provision for its population, but the running and maintenance costs – along with the investment required to meet modern standards and new safety regulations – became unsustainable."

For those in the most northerly part of the borough, it means longer journey times.

Residents of Disley, a village on the border with Stockport Council and Derbyshire County Council, have to go to Macclesfield, which is more than 16 miles away.

This is despite their nearest tip being only five miles away in Marple. Cheshire East residents are not allowed to use it though.

Gwenda Mayers lives in Poynton, Cheshire, and said it took her about 30 minutes each way for her to visit the tip in Macclesfield.

She used to choose to take her garden waste to her local centre in Poynton, since CEC charges to remove it from outside her home.

Since Poynton closed, however, that has changed.

"We now feel that we have been forced into this [green bin collection] subscription, as it just isn't practical to visit the tip near Gawsworth [Macclesfield]," she said.

Gwenda added that the situation had been "exacerbated" because she has an allotment.

She said other allotment owners were also "disgruntled".

While acknowledging there is a mobile tip service in Poynton, she said what can be taken there was "severely restricted" and offered reduced recycling opportunities.

CEC said it was looking to expand its mobile service and locations were chosen to support areas not within a 20-minute drive of a site or with higher levels of fly-tipping.

"While the service can't accept every type of waste for safety and logistical reasons, it offers a convenient option for many common household items," said the local authority spokesperson.

Liz Clarke, who has lived in Bollington for 33 years, said she was "still annoyed" about the closure of her local HWRC.

"It just didn't make any sense in terms of service to the community, which is surely what our councils are there to do."

Her nearest tip is now in Macclesfield - nearly six miles away.

She said there were sometimes issues with traffic. and a round trip could take her about 45 minutes.

"It's the other side of Macclesfield, which is a bit of a trek and it's very busy,' she said.

"If you go the wrong time of day, you'll just be stuck in traffic. They're often queued down the road."

Liz said she was also concerned about the environmental impact of the reduced number of tips, and said she had noticed more flytipping in the area.

"I don't know if it's because I'm looking," she said.

Bollington has faced a number of cuts in recent years, with the town council stepping in to pay for additional opening hours at the library and to keep parking free.

She said locals felt "abused" and "uncared for".

"I'd like the councillors to understand what people need and serve the community needs instead of arrogantly thinking that they know best," Liz said.

John Withers, who lives in Macclesfield, said she had also noticed issues with queuing traffic.

He said the tip was on a "blind hill" on a major road.

"It's very difficult to get in and out if you've literally got half a mile of standing traffic waiting to get in or waiting to get out," he said. "It's also very dangerous."

A booking system operates at weekends at Macclesfield tip, but John said he had not used it.

"I see it as an encumbrance - I'd rather just turn up and go on the day as we've done for 60 years."

The longest he said he had had to wait in a queue had been about 20 minutes.

"It frustrates people because obviously you've got people coming [and] going towards [and from] Gawsworth and Congleton.

"Frustration causes people to try and push out and move beyond the queue, and it will cause an accident. I'm convinced of that."

David Jefferay, chair of CEC's environment and communities committee, said the council recognised that site closures could "now mean a longer journey to a site, and travel times can vary depending on traffic".

"We know how frustrating queues can be," he added.

"The council's environment and communities committee has given officers delegated authority to make improvements to the existing booking system used at weekends and bank holidays for our permanent sites.

"These changes will help manage traffic, reduce pressure on busy roads and make visits easier for residents.

"We will keep residents fully informed before any changes are introduced."

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