Kent County Council has announced that the Ashford Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) will temporarily close starting Monday, 9 February 2026. The closure, expected to last up to 10 weeks, is necessary to facilitate urgent structural repairs at the Ashford Transfer Station.
A recent ground survey revealed significant deterioration of the facility’s concrete floor. To ensure the site remains safe and compliant with Environment Agency permits, crews will replace approximately 1,400m² of flooring and install new waste dividing walls. By conducting these major repairs simultaneously, the council aims to maximize efficiency and prevent longer-term disruptions.
Paul King, Cabinet Member for Environment, noted that while the closure is inconvenient, the work is vital for site safety. He confirmed that officials explored all alternatives but found no viable way to keep the HWRC operational during the construction phase. Addressing concerns regarding fly-tipping, the council clarified that such activity is a criminal offence often unrelated to facility availability.
While the Ashford site is closed, residents are encouraged to use alternative centres in Canterbury, Tovil (Maidstone), Folkestone, or Dover. All visits to these locations require an advance booking, which can be managed through the Kent County Council website.