Recycling centres to stay shut due to 'high demand'

Four recycling and household waste sites in Leicestershire are to stay closed until further notice due to "exceptionally high demand".

Leicestershire County Council said the current temporary closures of sites in Bottesford, Lutterworth, Oadby and Shepshed would continue.

The authority said earlier this month, the facilities were closed against a backdrop of increased demand locally, and significant pressures across the waste industry nationwide.

Now further issues at waste processing centres have prompted officials to extended the closures until new capacity can be safely created.

Residents have also been told that, due to the current heatwave, all open recycling and household waste sites across the county will close at 16:00 BST on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Met Office has issued a rare amber extreme heat warning, for Thursday, with temperatures peaking in the mid to high 30s across the Midlands and south-east of England, and a high of 38C (100F) possible.

Adam Tilbury, cabinet member for environment and waste, said: "This is not an issue unique to Leicestershire.

"The waste sector is currently experiencing significant pressure across the country, with a combination of site closures, treatment capacity issues and recent fires affecting the whole system."

He added the council was working with contractors and partners to restore services as soon as possible.

Lount Recycling and Household Waste Site in Leicestershire, which is currently closed for improvement works, will also remain shut until further notice.

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