A COUNCIL has launched a consultation exercise on changing the opening hours at three tips.

Durham County Council’s consultation on new opening hours for household waste recycling centres at Coxhoe, Horden and Thornley began on Thursday and continues until Saturday, June 30.

The facilities are currently open from 8.30am to 3.30pm from October 16 to January 31, 8am to 4pm during February and March, 8am to 9pm from April to August and 8am to 6pm from September 1 to October 15.

No alternative proposals have yet been announced.

Surveys will be carried out at the tips during the following times.

At Horden, on Saturday from 10am to 12.30pm, on Monday from 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm and Saturday, June 30, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

At Coxhoe, on Saturday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, on Monday from 10am to 12.30pm, Friday, June 15, from 10am to 12.30pm, Saturday, June 23, from 10am to 12.30pm and Thursday, June 28, from 1.30pm to 4pm.

At Thornley, on Monday from 1.30pm to 4pm, Friday, June 8, from 1.30pm to 4pm, Thursday, June 21, from 1.30pm to 4pm, Saturday, June 23, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and Saturday, June 30, from 10am to 12.30pm.

Decisions will be taken later this year.

Last month, the council’s cabinet to close two tips – Broomsdene, near Consett, and Cragwood, near Evenwood.

Hett Hills, near Chester-le-Street, Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, and Todhills, near Willington, saw their hours cut.