Dudley Council is actively seeking a permanent household waste disposal facility for the northern part of the borough. While temporary pop-up tips have been established and funded, the council’s leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, confirmed the priority remains securing a long-term solution.
The issue sparked controversy when Dudley MP Sonia Kumar criticized the council, arguing that residents in Sedgley, Coseley, and Gornal only receive 12 days of waste disposal access annually, whereas other areas benefit from permanent facilities. She described the current service as unfair and insufficient.
Responding firmly, Cllr Harley dismissed the MP’s claims, stating that pop-up tips have been well-received in the north and that residents also have access to the Stourbridge site, ensuring more opportunities than Kumar suggested. He emphasized that investment in pop-up sites reflects the council’s commitment to addressing waste disposal needs.
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Ms Kumar also accused the Conservative-run council of a long-standing failure to provide equitable waste services, pointing to the closure of the Anchor Lane Household Waste Recycling Centre as a direct consequence. She highlighted the ongoing cost of approximately £120,000 per year on pop-ups, noting it is nearly as high as the increase that would have kept Anchor Lane open.
The Anchor Lane centre, operated by the City of Wolverhampton Council, was previously accessible to Dudley residents through a fee arrangement, which ended in April 2021 due to a proposed 65% fee increase that Dudley Council declined to pay. Despite the termination of this deal, the facility remains open to Wolverhampton residents.
Looking ahead, Cllr Harley reaffirmed the council’s commitment to negotiations for a permanent waste disposal site. He indicated that discussions include the possibility of re-establishing an agreement with neighbouring authorities or developing a new facility within northern Dudley.