Glossop residents warned Tameside tips not an option

Glossop residents would be forced to travel to Buxton to dispose of their waste if plans to close the town’s recycling centre go ahead, as proposed new rules mean they won't be able to use Tameside sites as an alternative.  

Derbyshire County Council is considering closing the Glossop tip as part of cost-saving measures, and many residents have assumed they could use the nearer Tameside site, but future Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) measures mean this will not be possible.  

GMCA leaders have approved introducing proof-of-address checks at tips to prevent use by people from outside Greater Manchester. The move comes after councils reported rising numbers of people from neighbouring counties using their sites, driving up costs and causing congestion. Tip closures in other areas have contributed to the increase in cross-border use.  

At the GMCA meeting on Wednesday 11th March, Paul Morgan, Head of Commercial Services for the GMCA Waste and Resources Team, said it was time to take steps to “try to eliminate cross-border use” of tips due to a significant increase in non-residents using the facilities. He noted that some people had been dishonest, using Greater Manchester postcodes when asked to prove eligibility.  

He specifically referenced the potential closure of the Glossop tip and said: “We need to step up the actions taken to date to try and detour cross-border tipping.” To prevent abuse, he suggested proof of address using a driving licence rather than just a council tax bill, as licences contain a photo.  

Labour councillor for Hulme in Manchester, Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, said:  

“Shame on those authorities that have done this (closed tips) because it’s not the responsibility of my residents to pick up the bill for them and they need to look at that. We pay for our waste through our council tax.  

“It shouldn’t impact the nine authorities in this room (which includes Tameside). It’s just outrageous.  

“I’m not for a softly, softly approach. This is a major problem and I want people to know from the onset that if you turn up to our sites that we pay for, you’re not getting in. If your name’s not down, you’re not coming in, basically, and we need to get that message out.”  

Under the plan, checks will be introduced in stages, starting with spot checks before moving to a more formal system. The changes are expected to take effect later this year.  

If the Glossop site closes and the GMCA restrictions are enforced, residents would not be able to use the Tameside facility, meaning Buxton would be the nearest alternative within Derbyshire. The proposal to close Glossop tip is expected to go out to public consultation in April, with a final decision later in the year.