![\"Lurgan](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/PXL_20220821_143819697.jpg\")
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Opening hours could be extended at some recycling centres in the borough in a bid to cope with demand when a busy Lurgan facility shuts for urgent works next month.<\/p>\n
Newline Recycling Centre is set to undergo an extensive scheme in the interests of public safety.<\/p>\n
But the move has led to fears being voiced over a potential increase in fly-tipping, with some councillors insisting the \u2018bulky goods\u2019 collection service in the area needs to be increased in order to cope.<\/p>\n
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council\u2019s Environmental Services Committee received a report this week which highlighted the need for works to proceed as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
It advised: \u201cThe site works are urgently needed and cannot be delayed given ongoing health and safety issues for both staff and users of the site due to the poor condition of the surface, as well as the condition potentially contributing to a breach of suspended solids consent limits under the Water (NI) Order 1999.\u201d<\/p>\n
Officials are currently \u201cprocuring this service\u201d; the tender process will close mid-October and will be \u201cevaluated and awarded thereafter\u201d.<\/p>\n
Head of Environmental Services, Lisa Doherty, told this week\u2019s committee that the works \u201cwill include extensive resurfacing, line markings and improvements for staff and for users\u201d.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cIt is estimated that the site works will commence in mid-November and it will be closed for a three-week period, and planning for the closure is well underway.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Doherty said there would be \u201cextensive communications with site users \u2014 leaflets, signage and social media \u2014 ahead of the scheme getting underway\u201d.<\/p>\n
And she confirmed: \u201cAll other recycling centres will remain open during this time, and officers are looking into extending opening hours on these sites as well to accommodate additional users. A staffing plan is also being developed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The public will be encouraged to be \u201cmindful that while other sites are available across the council area, it is anticipated that these will be busier than normal\u201d.<\/p>\n
People will also be asked to consider if their journey to a recycling centre is \u201cessential or could await the reopening of the Newline facility\u201d.<\/p>\n
What followed was the voicing of concerns over signage on site, fly-tipping fears and the need to boost bulky waste lifts.<\/p>\n
DUP Alderman Paul Greenfield said the works were \u201cdefinitely needed\u201d, but he said signage should be \u201cmore substantial\u201d, referencing the number of signs \u2014 some of them hand-written \u2014 posted at Newline at present.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in Councillor Mary O\u2019Dowd agreed, saying there needed to be a \u201cbig sign\u201d in place, adding: \u201cThe wee small ones are doing absolutely nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
But in addition to the signs, she had other pressing worries.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there will be a rise in fly-tipping in the area and that is a concern for me,\u201d she told the committee. \u201cI think we all have issues with fly-tipping, but it (the planned work) is well needed and I do understand why it is being done.\u201d<\/p>\n
That said, she asked that officers \u201ckeep an eye on\u201d and monitor the potential for increased fly-tipping as a result.<\/p>\n
Ms Doherty offered some form of reassurance, responding: \u201cWe are working closely with our comms team to develop the right messaging to go out alongside the closure, and that will include leaflets to the public well in advance of it, but also substantial signage that will be put on site and actually on other sites as well, so at least they will know that Newline is closed. We will continue to monitor fly-tipping in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n
Councillor Jude Mallon had similar concerns, the Sinn F\u00e9in representative asking if there would be \u201cextra bulky waste lifts put on\u201d because of the closure.<\/p>\n
The Head of Planning Services said: \u201cWe are looking at the other sites \u2014 the other recycling centres \u2014 and have additional capacity on those sites, and will work with our contractors to make sure they are able to clear those sites away quicker.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Doherty agreed that her team would \u201cmonitor requests\u201d in relation to the bulky goods collection service and \u201clook at the resources put towards that\u201d if it was felt it was an issue.<\/p>\n
Councillor Catherine Nelson requested further information, as she too believed fly-tipping might rise in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that running that close to Christmas, a lot of people clear out their homes in advance of Christmas, knowing that Santa might arrive with plenty of gifts and toys, so I just would be concerned that that would increase fly-tipping,\u201d said the SF representative.<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely think that we need capacity increased in our bulky collection. For people in Lurgan, the other centres that are available are quite a journey away and, unfortunately, people may decide not to do that journey \u2014 and some may then fly-tip.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like officers to come back to us next month, when we are aware of the exact timeframes, with a plan on how we are going to add capacity to our bulky lift collections.\u201d<\/p>\n
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