New tip opens

A LONG awaited, purpose-built civic amenity site and recycling centre opened in Backwell this week.The new centre at Coles Quarry, which has a larger capacity and is easier to use than the previous site at Cheston Coombe, opened for the first time on Monday.It has two recycling zones which means people who have already separated their waste and are unloading only smaller items can use an earlier drop off point and a quicker exit route.The split level design also makes it easier to put the rest into the bins. The site has large colour coded signage with green signs for recyclable material and red signs for non recyclables.Each sign clearly indicates the materials that can be placed in the container.The sign at the entrance will also display the monthly and yearly tonnages of materials recycled at the centre.The new centre will also open seven days a week and provide a new facility - the first in North Somerset - for recycling plastic bottles.Other centres will follow suit by the end of the year.The centre is for household recycling and domestic waste only and will not accept commercial or clinical waste.A vehicle number plate recognition system has been installed to stop commercial enterprises dumping rubbish there and there is a height restriction of 1.8 metres.North Somerset Council's executive member for the environment and community, Councillor Deborah Yamanaka, said: "We are delighted to offer this enhanced facility for North Somerset residents."Access is now quicker and easier and the layout has been specially designed to help people recycle more."A special team of recycling welcomers will be on site for the first three weeks to help residents get to know the new facility.Winter opening times at the site are Monday to Friday 8am to 4.30pm, Saturday 8.30am to 4.30pm and on Sundays from 9am to 4pm.It will be closed on Bank Holidays.The old recycling facility at Cheston Coombe officially closed on Sunday.