The new hours at Forest Row, Seaford and Wadhurst will be:
- Monday – Thursday Closed
- Friday and Saturday - 8.00am until 4.00pm
- Sunday - 9.00am until 4.00pm
The reduced opening times at these sites are part of East Sussex County Council’s overall savings programme. Whilst closing them for four days a week will not fully meet all residents' expectations, the County Council has said it has listened to local views to develop a plan which balances the need to make savings with local need for services.
Both Forest Row and Wadhurst handle a relatively small amount of waste compared to other equivalent sites which makes them a less cost-effective way of handling waste flows. The improved recycling collection service in Wealden means people in this area should now have a good range of recycling options on their doorstep instead of having to drive to a recycling site.
The Seaford site is less than five miles from Newhaven Household Waste Recycling Site, which is a new, purpose-built split-level site. Seaford's site is also a small, older site without the modern, split-level layout.
From Monday to Thursday residents can use any of the other nine Household Waste Recycling Sites in East Sussex and the nearest alternative sites to Forest Row and Wadhurst are:
Crowborough Household Waste Recycling Site, Farningham Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 2JR. This site will be open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 1pm. Closed on bank holidays.
Maresfield Household Waste Recycling Site, Batts Bridge Road, Maresfield TN22 2HN. This site will be open Monday to Saturday 8.00am until 4.00pm and Sunday 9.00am until 4.00pm. Open to usual hours on bank holidays.
The nearest alternative site from Seaford is:
- Newhaven Household Waste Recycling Site, New Road, Newhaven BN9 0EH. This site will be open Monday to Saturday 8.00am to 4.00pm and Sunday 9.00am until 4.00pm. Open to usual hours on bank holidays
Allan Key General Manager for Veolia South Downs said: 'Veolia will continue to work with East Sussex County Council to deliver an excellent service. Despite the reduced days of operation Veolia will still be recycling the full range of materials on the days that we remain open. The network of facilities that we operate mean that there will always be a facility within a reasonable distance open seven days a week.
Veolia manages East Sussex and Brighton & Hove’s 14 Household Waste Recycling Sites as part of an integrated waste management service which also includes composting and recovery. Currently the Household Waste Recycling Sites divert around 60% of waste away from landfill.