Changes to council services over Christmas and New Year

Changes to opening times over the Christmas and New Year holidays mean most non-critical council services will not be available from 5pm on Friday 22 December until Tuesday 2 January.

Plans are in place to ensure roads are gritted and kept clear should the wintry weather take a turn for the worse, and emergency phone lines will be in operation throughout. To contact the council urgently during the holidays the emergency number is 0300 303 8875.

Full details of the changes are available at rochdale.gov.uk/christmas

Most waste and recycling collection dates remain unchanged, although bin collections scheduled for Tuesday 26 December will be moved to Saturday 30 December. Please ensure any additional paper and cardboard is dry, flattened, and secured next to your bin and that extra mixed recycling (glass, plastic bottles, and cans) is in a clear container or bag, so the contents can clearly be seen. Large items such as cardboard boxes should be emptied of any polystyrene or plastics and folded down to make them as manageable as possible. Extra bags of general waste should not be left out and will not be collected.

Real Christmas trees can but put inside brown bins but bases and decorations should be removed and they must be chopped so that they fit inside. Tree trunks must be thinner than a wrist and the bin lid needs to close. Alternatively, you can take it to one of the recycling points located across the borough, or to one of the household waste and recycling centres. 

Christmas tree recycling points:

Rochdale

• Bentley Street, spare ground opposite Clarence Street, Rochdale OL12 6NE
• Bolton Road, Rochdale OL11 3NQ
• Caldershaw Road, Rochdale OL12 7LQ
• Castleton Health and Leisure Centre Car Park, Manchester Road, Castleton OL11 3AF
• Norden Bus Terminus Play Area, Edenfield Road, Rochdale OL11 5TT
• Norden Road, (Bamford Green), Rochdale OL11 5PT
• Wasp Avenue, Rochdale OL11 2AL

Middleton

• Alkrington Woods Car Park, Middleton M24 4EA
• Boarshaw Road, Middleton M24 2WQ
• Hollins Car Park, Nowell Road, Middleton M24 6FL
• Kirkway, just off Grimshaw Lane, Middleton M24 1EP

Heywood

• Bank Top – open space off Cherwell Avenue, Heywood OL10 4SY
• Higher Lomax Lane, Heywood OL10 4SL
• Hopwood Park, Manchester Road OL10 2PP

Pennines

• Halifax Road, Smallbridge OL12 9AB
• Hare Hill Car Park, Littleborough OL15 9BG
• Milnrow Memorial Car Park OL16 4JF
• Wildhouse Lane lay-by area, Milnrow OL16 3JW

Alternatively Springhill Hospice will collect your tree from your home for a minimum donation of £10 and turn it into wood chippings for the hospice grounds. Book a collection at springhill.org.uk/how-you-can-help-us/events

Recycling centres at Chichester Street, Rochdale and Spring Vale, Middleton are open every day (8am to 6pm) apart from Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

The council’s contact centre will be open from 8.30am to 4pm between Wednesday 26 and Friday 29 December. On other dates until 2 January only the emergency phone line will be staffed.

Adult social care services will continue to be provided, but if you need help on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day please phone the emergency number  0300 303 8875.

Children’s Social Care services will continue to operate throughout the Christmas and New Year break.

You can access many services online, get more support and information, advice and report things 24 hours a day at rochdale.gov.uk