WORK is expected to start next spring on a new £3million state-of-the-art covered recycling centre for St Neots. The new centre, a remodelled industrial building on Cromwell Road Industrial Estate will replace the present open-air site, which is in the mi

WORK is expected to start next spring on a new £3million state-of-the-art covered recycling centre for St Neots.

The new centre, a remodelled industrial building on Cromwell Road Industrial Estate will replace the present open-air site, which is in the middle of St Neots and can be difficult to get to, next autumn.

Cambridgeshire County Council's new recycling centre will be split-level so that people no longer have to struggle up steps with heavy rubbish to recycle, and will be indoors to reduce noise and odour, and lit to extend its opening hours.

Residents will be able to recycle the widest possible range of items including electrical appliances, timber, garden waste, batteries and cardboard.

This year for the first time Cambridgeshire residents - led by folk in Huntingdonshire and South Cambridgeshire - recycled more rubbish than they threw away to be landfilled.

County Councillor Sir Peter Brown, cabinet member for the economy, environment and climate change, said: "This new facility will be a real benefit to the community in the St Neots area. Cambridgeshire already leads the way when it comes to recycling and composting, but we know we can do better.

"One thing that residents have told us is that they want recycling centres that are more modern and easier to use. This new centre is part of a programme of new facilities we will be building across Cambridgeshire to help people recycle even more of their rubbish."

Cllr Colin Hyams, executive councillor for operational and countryside services at Huntingdonshire District Council, added: "This new recycling centre will be a massive improvement on the current St Neots town centre facility, which is small, outdoors and hard to get to. HDC is now at 62 per cent recycling rate.

"We are well ahead of the Government's 2020 targets and fifth in 'the Premier League' and seeking to go higher.