Tip in Morpeth and in Prudhoe to only open four days after Northumberland County Council budget cuts

Morpeth and Prudhoe tips, currently open seven days a week, will scale back their hours to close on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from late spring or early summer.

Morpeth North councillor David Bawn said: “It is regrettable that the council has announced reduced hours at this site, but I recognise the significant budgetary pressures the council is facing.

“I have been reassured that this measure will mean that the closure of any site in Northumberland will be avoided.

“I have also called upon officers to monitor the level of fly tipping to ascertain whether there is any knock on effect to this that will need to be considered.”

Reacting to the announcement about Morpeth on our social media pages, Vivien Rochester said: “Surely the tip going part-time hours will just encourage more fly-tipping. The place is always busy when we have been.

Andrea Mitchell said: “Can’t believe this. It’s always busy when you go, just imagine what the queues are going to be like – what on earth are the council thinking!”

The change will leave only Alnwick, Bebside, Berwick, Hexham, and North Seaton tips open seven days.

Wooler, Kirkley, Haltwhistle, North Sunderland, and Allendale tips all moved to part time hours in 2016.

A spokesperson for Northumberland County Council said: “The revised opening arrangements seek to ensure that the sites remain on those days when most people use the service.

“By amending the opening hours, we are able to maintain the provision of this important and well used service, whilst also securing the cost savings identified in the budget.”