Rebuilt recycling centre reopens

The waste centre has undergone a £250,000 facelift

A waste recycling centre in County Durham forced to close because of subsidence is reopening after a revamp.

The Romanway waste site on the Romanway Industrial Estate in Bishop Auckland closed in March for essential repairs after a hole appeared at the entrance.

Durham County Council has spent £250,000 totally rebuilding the site and it will re-open on Friday.

Improvements include a new drop-off, pull-in bay for paper and glass and new colour-coded signs for skips.

'Safer to use'

Alan Cox, county council cabinet member for waste management, said plans were already in place for repairs and improvements for the site when the subsidence made its closure a necessity.

He said: "Discovering the cause of the subsidence meant excavating the whole site, and involved a lot more work than had been thought necessary.

"However, the problems have been solved, and the facility has been completely re-built, incorporating a number of improvements to make it more accessible and easier and safer to use, both for local residents and staff working there."

The site also includes new road markings and highway signs to improve traffic management and a newly widened road at the entrance.