Ashford Household Waste Recycling Centre fully reopens following major improvement works

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Environment
Interior of a waste transfer station showing a newly laid concrete floor, large open vehicle entrance, and reinforced waste bays with black and yellow hazard markings along the walls.

Ashford Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) fully reopened to residents on Saturday 23 May, marking the completion of a significant programme of improvement works on the site’s Waste Transfer Station.

The works, delivered by Kent County Council (KCC), have focused on upgrading the Waste Transfer Station to ensure the facility meets current compliance standards and continues to operate efficiently for years to come.

The repair work included the removal and replacement of the original concrete flooring and metal reinforcement, installation of a new strengthened concrete base, and the construction of new bay walls built to meet current compliance standards.

Interior of a waste transfer station during refurbishment, showing a rough, excavated floor with piles of broken concrete and rubble, partially dismantled bay walls, and red safety sheeting along the side.
Waste Transfer Station during refurbishment, showing excavation works and preparation for the new concrete floor.

Despite the scale and complexity of the project, the site has remained accessible for much of the works period. Following an initial 17-day closure, the HWRC reopened and has operated alongside construction activity, allowing more than 22,000 residents to continue disposing of their waste and recycling between February to April.

Careful phasing of the works within the building, alongside the use of a contingency site, has also ensured there has been minimal disruption to the district councils who rely on the transfer station. Kerbside waste collections have continued without interruption, with no impact on district collection regimes throughout the project.

Now that the works at the Waste Transfer Station have been completed, the site will return to full capacity and normal operation from 23 May.

Headshot of Jamie Henderson

“These upgrades ensure the site is compliant, more resilient and fit for the future, while continuing to support residents and local services.”

Jamie Henderson Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health

Jamie Henderson, Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health, said: “This has been a significant and complex programme of works, but by carefully managing and adapting the construction process, we’ve been able to keep the site open for part of the time and minimise disruption for residents.

Four people wearing high-visibility clothing and hard hats stand side by side inside a large industrial warehouse. Behind them is a waste truck with “FCC Environment – from waste to resource” branding, along with piles of materials and heavy equipment. The building has a high metal roof with skylights letting in daylight, and the concrete floor shows scattered debris typical of a recycling or waste-processing facility.

Jamie Henderson visited the site with Jo Fordham and Dan Martin from FCC Environment and Matt Feekings, Waste Operations Manager.

“We’re pleased that the improvements to the Waste Transfer Station are now complete. These upgrades ensure the site is compliant, more resilient and fit for the future, while continuing to support residents and local services.

“I’d also like to thank FCC Environment for supporting KCC during this time, including keeping the HWRC open on every bank holiday during the works.”

To visit Ashford HWRC, residents must first book a slot by visiting: Book a slot to visit a Household Waste Recycling Centre - Kent County Council