Alford ‘unlikely’ to see work on new recycling centre until March

Survey and design works are progressing on a new household recycling centre for Alford, but construction is “unlikely” to start until March.

Aberdeenshire Council confirmed in December that developers Kirkwood Homes would be upgrading and expanding the existing facility for the village, with increased opening hours and the potential to accept additional materials for recycling.

Currently, Alford Household Recycling Centre on Mart Road has limited operating hours and accepts fewer materials than larger sites.

The new “drive-in, drive-out” facility will deal with an extended range of materials including soil and rubble – and will operate four days a week Friday to Monday.

Kirkwood Homes is undertaking the construction of the recycling centre under a planning agreement linked to its development at Wellheads.

The current facility closed in mid-January to enable preliminary works on the site.

Aberdeenshire Council waste manager Ros Baxter said: “Although the community is unlikely to see formal construction commencing until March, as with any development of this kind regular access and ongoing survey work for the design team is essential before building works can begin.”

Replacement facilities are being provided next to the glass recycling point in the car park next to the Grampian Transport Museum and will be joined by a Saturday garden waste collection point from April 4.

There are other glass collection points within the village and residents can continue to access centres at Insch, Inverurie and Huntly.