Local Councillor calls for extension of recycling centres opening hours
Slieve Gullion Councillor Oonagh Magennis has said that the opening hours of the Housing Recycling Centres (HRC) should be extended.
The Sinn Féin Councillor confirmed that she had contacted the Council’s Neighbourhood Services Director requesting that he introduces the next phase with amenities opening as soon as possible.
Speaking to Newry Times, Councillor Magennis said, “Many people who for instance are now back at work require our Council Household Recycling Centres to reinstate Saturday opening hours in a safe and efficient manner within restrictions as society slowly returns to some sort of normality.”
She continued, “My colleagues Councillor Gerry O’Hare and Councillor Barra ÓMuirí, have been inundated with queries surrounding Hilltown and Newtownhamilton HRCs respectively, which are still completely closed.
“We understand there are some safety and staffing issues surrounding HRCs, but the massive rush straight after they were reopened has ended and safety measures should be easier to put in place with a smaller volume of people arriving at once.”
The local representative said that there were practical solutions to the staffing concerns. “Those Household Recycling Centres that had extra staff for that extremely busy initial period could now be used elsewhere such as Hilltown or Newtownhamilton.
“After discussing these issues with Neighbourhood Services, I hope that in the coming weeks they will be in a better position to move through the recovery phases and reduce any risk to staff.
“Those members of staff who were shielding throughout the worst of the pandemic should be returning to work shortly to assist in services and this is very welcome news.”
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The local Councillor added, “The Bulky Waste Collection is another service that needs to be restored as soon as possible.
“This might also help alleviate some of the illegal dumping going on throughout our Council district.
“Neighbourhood Services Department has informed me that it is hoped that this service will be restored in a matter of weeks.
“It is a much-used service and hopefully, this will happen.”
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