Keynsham Recycling Hub, the new Bath & North East Somerset Council purpose-built facility has been officially opened.

The council has invested £41.8m in the state-of-the-art facility in World's End Lane, Keynsham.

The first phase, a public household waste, reuse and recycling centre, opened in April 2023 and construction was recently completed on the final phase, an operational hub to deliver frontline services such as recycling and waste collections and vehicle servicing.

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services and Councillor Sarah Moore, Chair of the Council, officially opened the site on February 26.

The new operational hub has consolidated the council's operational facilities from three sites across the B&NES area.

It is a central depot for more than 100 recycling and refuse collections vehicles and means that more than 200 operations and support staff are now based in the modern offices and welfare facilities on site.

The new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) boasts the latest sorting and baling equipment and the vast wooden-roofed salt and gritting barn will ensure easy access and winter gritting to the A4 and adjacent roads between Keynsham and Bath.

In line with the council's climate and ecological emergency declarations, the scheme has been designed with carefully considered sustainability measures built in, including a 3800m2 (783KWp) solar PV array on top of the buildings and rainwater harvesting, which collects water from roof tops to be stored underground and used for vehicle washing and plant watering.

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "I am delighted to officially open the new Keynsham Recycling Hub today, see at first hand the impressive facilities and meet some of the staff who are now based here.

"The investment in construction of the purpose-built modern Keynsham Recycling Hub and the consolidation of collections, disposal and recycling processing operations will help to reduce general waste and operational costs and ensure the service can meet current pressure and future demand from an increasing population."

Councillor Sarah Moore, chair of the council, said: "This has been a huge project and it is exciting to declare this new modern facility officially open."

The on-site MOT and Servicing Centre for council vehicles and public and commercial vehicles offers MOT testing for cars, motorcycles, motorhomes, minibuses, HGVs and vans. It is open Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm and requests for MOT bookings can be made on the council website,by contacting Transport Services directly by email [email protected] or by calling 01225 477314.

The reuse shop, which offers pre-loved items for sale was opened in October last year. It is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 3.30pm and Saturday 9.30am to 3pm. More information can be found on the council website www.bathnes.gov.uk/reuse

The public recycling centre in Midland Road is still open and will remain open until an alternative site is in place.