Public rubbish dumps could be in line for £1 million investment in the drive to boost recycling across the county.

Civic amenity sites across the region need significant improvements to ease traffic queues and make way for recycling infrastructure, according to a Cumbria County Council report.

An assessment of all 12 of the county's civic amenity sites has identified improvements needed in coming years as CCC gears up to hit stringent national and European re-cycling targets.

CCC is responsible for disposing about 284,000 tonnes of municipal waste each year. In 2001/2 more than 90 per cent of this waste was disposed as landfill just 6.8 per cent was recycled and 1.6 per cent was composted.

At this rate, CCC estimates show landfill in Cumbria will be exhausted by 2009.

Local authorities, including South Lakeland District Council, are expanding kerbside recycling schemes but residents also need more facilities to dispose of large objects such as fridges and electronic equipment.

This week CCC's

cabinet heard that, in the long-term, Canal Head in Kendal may have to relocate.

A report to cabinet members said: "This site suffers from severe traffic congestion and the close proximity of a new housing development.

"Redevelopment on the existing location is possible, at a cost of £334,000 but it is suggested that the preferred option would be relocation."

CCC cabinet environment portfolio holder Lawson Short said any decisions made about Canal Head would have to take account of the development of the Northern Reaches of Lancaster Canal as Canal Head was the original canal terminus.

Meanwhile Guides Lot, Grange-over-Sands may need a new entrance to tackle "severe traffic congestion" on the site.

The report said:

"Redevelopment costs of approximately £140,000 have been identified for this site.

However, there is severe traffic congestion on the current access road and it is suggested that any investment should be linked with solving this problem."

Cabinet members backed the report and agreed to

consider opening public tips seven days a week, up to 8pm in the evenings.

April 23, 2003 08:30