AFTER plans to shut High Heavens waste recycling centre last weekend were shelved becasue of the forecast bad weather, the tip is now set to close over the coming weekend instead.

The centre in Booker is now due to close on the weekend of July 26 and 27, reopening as normal again on Monday, July 28. The surfacing work planned to take place during the closure is essential to complete the new access road which will make it easier for drivers to get in and out of High Heavens.

Lesley Clarke, Buckinghamshire County Council cabinet member for planning and the environment at Buckinghamshire County Council, said: "We were all geared up for the High Heavens closure over (last) weekend, and had extensively publicised it in order that residents wouldn’t be inconvenienced.

"We did add the rider that weather or unforeseen circumstances might change this, and sadly this is what has happened. The contractor has had to call off the essential road surfacing work due to the predicted bad weather, which is understandable.

The reason the work could not go ahead this weekend was that heavy rain would cool the new road surface too quickly, not allowing it to be worked upon properly.

Mrs Clarke previously explained the reasons why the site had to be closed over a weekend. She said: "We did look at carrying out this work during a weekday but this wasn’t possible because of the disruption it would have caused to normal weekday flow of traffic using High Heavens and to local residents.

"The road surfacing operation uses large machines and has a good number of delivery trucks arriving. Having the combination of this and the usual traffic volumes would make the road congested and unsafe for residents."

The alternative nearby sites include: • Beaconsfield - A40 London Road, HP9 2XB Bledlow Ridge - Wigans Lane, HP14 4BH Amersham - London Road East,HP7 9DT Chesham - Latimer Road, HP5 1TL Burnham - Crowpiece Lane, SL2 3TG The work is being carried out because the development of the new Waste Transfer Station at High Heavens. A new junction and widened access road is a requirement of the Waste Transfer Station planning consent.

Customers with High Heavens permits can use them at the alternative Household Waste Recycling sites on July 26 and 27.

The council warned these dates may again be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances, although it adds it hopes this is unlikely. The public can keep themselves up to date by checking on the Council website. Website: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/environment/waste,-recycling-and-treatment/household-waste-and-recycling-centres/