Malvern Waste Site is to be closed for a five months for refurbishment work.

Town councillor Paul Tuthill has criticised the announcement by Worcestershire County Council that the Newland site will close for around 20 weeks, some time after August 1, a move which will force people to travel to other sites.

He believes that instead of diverting people to waste sites in Worcester, Upton and Ledbury, as planned, things should continue as normal.

He said: "The site works very well, is heavily used and the staff are helpful. Any improvements to warrant its withdrawal for almost half a year will need to be dramatic.

"Alternative arrangements need to be provided in Malvern if this refurbishment is to go ahead at all. Alternatively, the plan should be abandoned and public money saved."

However, contractors Severn Waste Services say the work is part of a rolling programme of improvements to 16 household waste sites in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Split levels are being introduced at the Worcester Road site to end the need for steps. There will also be safety measures to separate the public from heavy traffic and improvements to reduce traffic congestion. Opening times will be extended to encourage people to take their waste for recycling.

John Lashley, SWS operations director, said: "The feedback from users of our recently refurbished sites elsewhere has been very positive and the changes and improvements have been generally welcomed.

"As well as providing a more pleasant and user-friendly site, recycling rates at refurbished sites have gone up."

The county council say the work will be done in time for Christmas.

For details of alternative sites, visit www.severnwaste.com or www.worcestershire.gov.uk, or use the recycling site finder at www.recycle-more.co.uk to find your nearest recycling centre. MHDC also offers a bulky waste collection service.