The newly renovated Eastwood Recycling Centre (ERC), in Todmorden, Calderdale, has had to close following an incident in which a man has been charged by police.

The damage was sustained on Saturday 19 July and is so extensive that the centre is likely to be closed now until November 2014, whilst the damage is assessed and recovery team can be brought in to make repairs. This comes just seven months after the ERC was reopened after major renovations.

Police were called to the site and Calderdale Council and a man has now been charged with criminal damage. The Council has since reported that the managing firm for the recycling centre, SITA UK, has provided a team to assist with the investigation and clean-up. As yet it remains unclear what motivations, if any, there were for the damage caused.

Safety for the public has been described as being a priority for the council and immediately after the incident teams were on hand to make the centre safe and protect the public. A security guard has been stationed at the site every night as a 'precaution' and an employee is on hand during the day to advise people on alternative options to do their recycling and dispose of waste while ERC is closed.

Much of the equipment, still only seven months old, does need to be replaced and the cost will be covered by insurance. Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Environment, Cllr Barry Collins, said: “We want to assure people that we’re doing all we can to get Eastwood back up and running as quickly as possible. November is the estimated reopening date because it will take time to carry out the repairs to the best possible standard, and to get hold of the required equipment and materials. Since the refurbishment, lots of people have told us how much they liked the new facilities, and we will make sure the repairs and replacements are of the same top quality.

“In the meantime, we have set up temporary services to help residents continue to recycle and dispose of their household waste during the closure period.”

The nearest centres, which are open as normal, are:

• Sowerby Bridge, Milner Royd, Mearclough, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 3LF
• Halifax, Lee Bank, Ovenden Road, Halifax, HX3 5PN

Until ERC reopens the public in the Calderdale area are also being offered additional assistance to help recycle and dispose of waste:

• an additional two bags of refuse will be collected on waste collection days by Todmorden and Hebden Bridge during the closure period;
• temporary garden waste collections will take place on alternate Saturdays from 9 August for selected parts of Todmorden and Hebden Bridge; and
• Several community clean up days will take place during the closure period to help remove some of residents' bulkier items.

Residents will be familiar with this process as it is the same one put into place whilst Eastwood was closed for renovation recently, although more homes have been added to collection routes this time, in response to feedback from the public.

More information can be found on Calderdale Council's website.