TAUNTON Recycling Site will remain closed for "the foreseeable future" as a fire continues to burn there, Somerset Council says.

The facility on the Crown Industrial Estate has been closed to the public since the blaze broke out in the early hours of Tuesday last week (October 3).

The cause of the fire, which was fought by around 60 firefighters, is not yet known.

Wellington and Bridgwater recycling sites will continue to open seven days a week - supported by staff redeployed from Taunton - until the Taunton site can safely reopen.

Both Wellington and Bridgwater saw a large influx of visitors last weekend and advice is to save your visit until midweek if possible.

The Wellington site was particularly busy, so residents are advised to use the Bridgwater site if practical.

Kerbside collectiens are not affected by the closure and residents should continue to put their refuse and recycling out as usual.

The site is owned by Biffa, which manages the public recycling site on behalf of Somerset Council.

Although a small fire is still burning today (Wednesday), structural engineers were on site yesterday and will take several days to conclude their investigations.

The public recycling site cannot open until the Material Recovery Facility, where the fire took hold is made safe or demolished.

Residents who would usually use the Taunton site in the Priorswood area are asked to either:

  • Hold on to their recycling if it can wait;
  • Put it in their kerbside recycling if it is the right kind of material;
  • Try one of the council’s other 15 sites if it is waste that urgently needs to go.

Cllr Dixie Darch, Somerset Council executive member for climate and the Environment, said: “I want to thank residents for their patience and understanding.

"We are sorry that you cannot access the site yet.

“Teams are working hard to find the best way to make the site safe, but please bear with us while plans are put in place to reopen.”