There's no going back from the 'absolutely crazy' decision to close Congleton tip, as it shuts for good this weekend.

The closure of recycling centre situated Off Barn Rd, has been a controversial issue for both Congleton residents and Cheshire East councillors.

Even MPs opposed the shutdown, which may cause a huge-knock on effect across Cheshire East.

Rubbish bags left in beauty spots may increase, recycling rates may even reduce as Congleton residents will have to travel seven to ten miles to the nearest tips.

Congleton tip closes for good this Sunday (September 5) at 5pm.

Despite this, at the eleventh hour there are fresh calls from local councillors for an alternative site to be found.

Cheshire East said it had no choice but to close the Congleton household waste recycling centre (HWRC) permanently as it doesn't own the land.

The council says it won't be replacing it while the procurement process for a new contract for the running of its HWRCs across the borough from 2023 is carried out.

Congleton West councillor George Hayes (Con) told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It's disappointing that the administration at Cheshire East haven't listened to the very valid concerns of residents in the local community, which will cause inevitable pressures at other sites across the borough.

"I very much hope that the administration will come forward with an alternative site for Congleton as Cheshire East's third biggest town."

Cllr Laura Crane (Sandbach Ettiley Heath & Wheelock, Lab), who was cabinet member for highways and waste at the time, told the final cabinet meeting on May 4: "At present there's no intention to close other sites but, yet again, that will be an answer for the new committee to discuss further."

Alsager councillor Rod Fletcher (Lib Dem) fears Middlewich and Poynton could be next.

Cllr Fletcher told the LDRS this week: "It's an absolutely crazy decision [to close Congleton] but the problem is it's not over yet, because what the Labour-led administration said is that, depending on the costs of the new contract in 2023, they may have to close more sites and I think Poynton and Middlewich are top of their hit list for that."

He added: "Liberal Democrats have been opposing all tip closures in Cheshire East.

"We did when the Conservatives tried to close them in 2014 and we've been consistent, we've opposed any closures by the Labour-led administration as well."

Middlewich councillor Mike Hunter seemed more optimistic about the future of the Middlewich tip – provided it could be relocated.

Cllr Hunter said: "Middlewich residents are grateful that the Middlewich site will remain open and the town council have already written to Cheshire East asking for an upgraded facility for the future, which will be sited off the new bypass which will reduce the impact of traffic in the town.

"By moving and making a bigger HWRC, this will help to secure the future of this facility within Middlewich."

He added: "I agree that the HWRC in its current position is unsustainable and that is why the town council are going to start fighting for an enhanced facility which can take in more household recycling from a wider area and therefore safeguard the future."

Cheshire East hasn't ruled out further closures in the future and, following its final cabinet meeting in May, issued a press statement which said: "A further decision on the number and distribution of household waste recycling centres that will be operated from 2023 will be taken following market engagement, consultation and procurement exercises."

Our area's borough council also issued a further statement today.

They said: "The council's lease of the site has been ended by the landowner.

"While the procurement process for a new contract for the running of the borough's household waste recycling centres from 2023 is carried out, the council has decided not to build a replacement facility in Congleton.

"The site will be cleared before the council's lease expires and the site is returned to the landowner.

"The nearest alternative sites for residents currently served by Congleton Household Waste and Recycling Centre are at Alsager and Macclesfield."

"More information about waste and recycling in Cheshire East, including local recycling banks, can be found on our bins, waste and recycling pages."

Congleton Household Waste Recycling Centre will close to the public at 5pm on Sunday, (5 September).

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