RESIDENTS are being advised that changes to household waste recycling sites in East Sussex will come into force at the start of next month.

From Monday, October 1 2018, two sites will close permanently, opening hours at two more will change and charges for non-household waste will come into force at all sites across the county.

Sites at Forest Row and Wadhurst will open for the last time on Sunday, September 30, while on the following day opening hours at Lewes and Mountfield will change from 8am to 5pm to 9am to 4pm daily all year round.

On the same day, charges to dispose of soil, hardcore, plasterboard, bonded asbestos and tyres will be introduced at those sites in the county where such items are accepted.

There will be no charge to dispose of household waste such as garden waste, electricals, furniture, crockery, clay flowerpots, recycling and general waste, which will continue to be free of charge to dispose of at the sites.

The changes have been introduced as part of a drive to reduce the waste budget by £720,000 – part of the £17 million savings East Sussex County Council needs to make this financial year due to cuts in Government funding.

Cllr Nick Bennett, county council lead member for transport and environment, said: “We want to do everything possible to make sure residents are aware of the changes coming into force next month.

“Closing waste sites is not something we want to do, and we do appreciate residents’ concerns about this, but the financial pressures we’re facing mean we have no choice but to make tough decisions.

“We believe our remaining 10 sites will still offer a reasonably accessible service, and over 98 per cent of East Sussex residents will still be within 20 minutes’ drive of their nearest tip.

“The sites at Lewes and Mountfield will still be open at the times they’re most used, and charging for items such as tyres and hardcore means we can make the savings we need to make while continuing to accept these items at some of our sites.”

The changes were approved by the council’s cabinet in June, following a review of the household waste and recycling service and a public consultation in the spring.

Forest Row and Wadhurst were selected for closure as they have on average fewer visitors per hour than all the other sites, and are relatively more expensive to run.

Residents can use any of the remaining 10 sites, with Crowborough, Heathfield and Maresfield being the nearest.

Of the items that will be subject to charges, soil and hardcore can be taken to any site in East Sussex while plasterboard, bonded asbestos and tyres are only accepted at selected sites.

Full details of locations and opening hours for all sites and charges coming into force for non-household waste can be found online at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/wastesites/