SIX of the district's eight Bradford Council-run household waste recycling centres – including Sugden End at Cross Roads – will close on Mondays from next week as part of a pilot scheme.

The decision has been condemned by Worth Valley councillor Rebecca Poulsen, leader of the Conservative group on the council.

And she has hit out at the fact she only found out about the move after reading a post on the council Facebook page.

"I was absolutely shocked when I read it," says Cllr Poulsen.

"There was no consultation at all – we knew nothing about it.

"Monday is a busy day at Sugden End, with vehicles often queuing, because people will do jobs over the weekend and then visit the tip with their waste.

"Having successfully campaigned before to keep Sugden End open, my concern is that this could be closure by stealth – closed one day, then another etc."

The only two council household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) unaffected by the move are the sites in Royd Ings Avenue, Keighley, and at Bowling Back Lane in Bradford.

A Bradford Council spokesperson says: "During this pilot we will be able to assess the benefits of closing for one day, including financial savings in this difficult economic climate, and carry out essential maintenance work which is not always possible when the HWRCs are open.

"Also it will help us assess demand for the facilities, future needs and HWRC policy changes, and assist us in preparing the sites for the week ahead following Sundays, which are one of our busiest days. Staff will not be financially impacted, as they will be assisting with the work, as well as other duties onsite and waste transfer."