A motion to halt the closure of the Tavistock Road Civic Amenity Site in Yiewsley has been lost by Hillingdon Council, with the proposal defeated by 30 votes to 19 at a Council meeting on Thursday, 24 September 2026.

The decision to close the site, planned for December 2026, was made after financial, legal, equalities, and services reviews, according to Councillor Wayne Bridges, Cabinet Member for Residents' Services. He stated that the closure of the West Drayton Waste Weekend Service is expected to result in financial savings of over £300,000 for the Council. Having reviewed the available evidence and the options available, and noting the financial savings of more than £300,000, together with an enhanced program of waste drop-and-go events, the Council remains satisfied that the revised arrangements achieved those objectives, whilst maintaining and, in some respects, enhancing access to waste disposal services for all residents, Councillor Bridges told the chamber.

Councillor Jan Sweeting, who proposed the motion, argued that the closure would disproportionately affect residents in the south of the borough, particularly the elderly, disabled, and those without cars. She highlighted that the Tavistock Road site currently serves approximately 2,000 visits per weekend, processing around 6,000 tonnes of waste annually. Councillor Bridges acknowledged concerns about the impact on older residents, disabled residents, families with SEND children, and those who do not have access to a private vehicle, stating that These factors were considered as part of the assessment, and whilst we acknowledge that new arrangements may be less convenient for some residents, they may be more convenient for others, and we have sought to mitigate the inconvenience where possible. He added that All residents will continue to benefit from regular curbside collection services, additional local pop-up waste drop events, access to community reuse opportunities, and facilities that can be reached by public transport.

Councillor Sweeting expressed concerns that the alternative provision at the Feltham Space Waye site would require pre-booked slots and involve longer, more congested journeys. The dump provides a service which the alternative cannot, as it's miles away in foreign territory and with no come hither and dump me service, but one where slots need to be booked and where is always queuing traffic, she stated during the debate. She also raised concerns about potential increases in fly-tipping due to the reduced accessibility of waste disposal services.

In response to concerns about fly-tipping, Councillor Adam Bennett outlined proactive steps being taken to combat the issue, including targeted patrols, increased CCTV use, and the rollout of the 'Love Clean Streets' app. He also stated that vehicles used for fly-tipping would be seized and crushed.

Councillor Bridges countered that the decision was an operational one aimed at providing a more efficient and cost-effective service. He also pointed to previous opposition from the Labour group to the Tavistock Road site operating seven days a week, describing it as deplorable in 2018, a stance he contrasted with their current support for keeping the site open. Residents expect us to listen, they expect us to review the evidence, but they also expect us to make the sensible decisions and spend public taxpayers' money responsibly, Councillor Bridges told the chamber.

Councillor Bridges also clarified that the decision related to waste and recycling services and not the operation of the reuse shop, which was run by a contractor. He also mentioned an expanded programme of pop-up waste drop-and-go events, noting that the Council's pop-up waste service would be made permanent, rotated across targeted locations every two weeks with at least six sessions in Yiewsley and West Drayton over the next year.

Further details on the meeting can be found in the Public reports pack.