Underground structures cause further delays to new East Grinstead recycling centre

EAST Grinstead's new state-of-the-art recycling centre has suffered yet another setback.

Imberhorne Lane Household Waste and Recycling Site closed in March 2011 to undergo a £1.6 million refurbishment. The improved facility was due to be officially unveiled in autumn.

A revised opening date of January was set, after contractors encountered a series of problems including soil contamination and underground structures.

But West Sussex County Council has revealed the discovery of more obstacles, such as foundations and drainage chambers, which have delayed the project even further.

The authority said the new centre would now open later this month, subject to confirmation.

A county council spokesman said: "Since work started, there have been a series of unexpected problems, causing a three-month delay in reopening.

"Subject to confirmation, we now expect the site to restart operations later in February.

"This has been predominantly caused by a larger than expected range of underground materials on site requiring removal, and the unexpected discovery of some underground structures."

The site, which is run by Viridor on behalf of West Sussex County Council, will remain closed on weekdays and bank holidays, though a temporary household waste service will continue between 10am and 3pm on weekends.

Residents with hazardous items including asbestos, batteries, chemicals, tyres and electrical goods have been directed to other recycling sites in Crawley, Horsham and Burgess Hill.

Douglas Wagstaff, of Musgrave Avenue, East Grinstead, has used the recycling facility in Forest Row, in East Sussex, while the Imberhorne Lane site is closed.

The 86-year-old said: "It's a 20-mile round trip to go to Crawley. It's inconvenient and it takes the best part of an hour.

"I'm interested to see the new site, because I think it will be state-of-the-art."

Jason Slatcher, 41, who runs The Sussex Arms, in West Street, East Grinstead, added: "I have spoken to a couple of customers about it and they say it's a pain having to go to Forest Row.

"It's a bit strange. It's only a dump. You would have thought they would have opened it by now."

The county council said the delay would not increase the cost of the project.