Reopening of two household waste and recycling sites in strath remains on hold
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Household waste and recycling centres in Kingussie and Grantown will not reopen until the end of next month, operator Highland Council has revealed.
But despite the continuing delay the announcement has been hailed as good news by one local Highland councillor who feared that the facilities could have been lost altogether.
Granish household waste and recycling centre by Aviemore reopened to the public at the start of June following the Covid-19 lockdown on March 23.
The facility was initially only accepting bagged household waste and gardening material but the range of items has since been expanded and now includes wood and scrap metal.
Local Highland councillors met recently with Alan McKinney, the council's waste operations manager, and were updated on the current situation at the three local sites.
Councillor John Bruce (Scottish Conservative) said: "We were told that Grantown and Kingussie will open when the Covid-19 condiions allow proper functioning of the sites.
"It is a matter of getting the staff back from other duties to run the sites. Also there is a question of what rubbish can be taken there. For instance I think light metals with be accepted this week at Granish.
"I really thought the two sites may never open again and it was good news that they will 'in time'."
Fellow local councillor Muriel Cockburn (SNP) said: "I am delighted that the residents of Grantown and Kingussie will have access to local recycling.
"I am pleased that Highland Council is in a position to be able to offer some albeit limited service.
"As a responsible employer Highland Council must ensure the facilities are safe for both staff and public and this has been challenging to organise."
A Highland Council spokesman told the Strathy: "We are working to have reopening in place by the end of next month but all centres will have adjusted hours as sites must be Covid-19 compliant.
"This is difficult for the small sites in Badenoch and Strathspey.”
The two-metre social distancing rule is in place at Granish and no trailers are allowed. The facility is not open on Saturday as used to be the case prior to the coronavirus lockdown.
Full details of the opening hours of all the sites in the Highlands are available by visiting www.highland.gov.uk/recycle
Meanwhile the uplift service for bulky items in Badenoch and Strathspey has been being re-instated.
The local authority’s website shows the items acceptable for collection and customers are advised to check the list before considering booking a collection.
Black bag waste is not accepted.
The service, which is for household waste only, needs to be booked at least two days in advance of when you would like your items collected, and there are set collection days for locations across the Highland region.
The cost for the service is £23.37 for up to three items or £46.73 for up to six items.
The service can be booked using the online form which can be found at www.highland.gov.uk/bulkyuplift Alternatively, customers can book by calling the Highland Council Service Centre on 01349 886603
