Changes to council services for Christmas and New Year

Friday, 19 December 2025 11:50

By David Murphy

Changes to opening times over the Christmas and New Year holidays mean most non-critical Rochdale Borough Council services will not be available from 4pm on Wednesday 24 December until Friday 2 January.

Plans are in place to make sure roads are gritted and kept clear should the wintry weather take a turn for the worse, and emergency phone lines in operation throughout so people can get in touch if needed. To contact the council during the holidays the emergency number is 0300 303 8875.

Some waste and recycling collection dates remain unchanged, although bin collections scheduled for Thursday 25 December will be moved to Saturday 27 December. Collections scheduled for Friday 26 December move to Monday 29 December and those scheduled for Thursday 1 January move to Saturday 3 January.

If wrapping paper has glitter or can't be crumpled into a ball, it should go in your dark green bin because it cannot be recycled. Large items like cardboard boxes should be emptied and flattened before putting them in your blue paper bin or keep them until you're able to take them to a nearby household waste recycling centre. The council cannot collect wet cardboard because it is not suitable for recycling. Any extra general waste should not be left out - please take it to your local recycling centre.

Real Christmas trees can be 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. You can also 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 are open from Monday 6 January to Friday 17 January.

Christmas tree recycling points:

Castleton

Bolton Road, OL11 3NQ
Castleton Health and Leisure Centre car park, OL11 3AF

Heywood

Bank Top and Cherwell Avenue, OL10 4SY
Higher Lomax Lane, OL10 4SJ
Hopwood Park, Coronation Avenue, OL10 2HZ

Middleton

Alkrington Woods car park, M24 4EA
Boarshaw Road, M24 2WQ
Hollins car park, M24 6FL
Kirkway, just off Grimshaw Lane, M24 1EP

Norden

Norden Bus Terminus, OL11 5TT
Norden Road, OL11 5PW

Pennines

Halifax Road, OL12 9AB
Hare Hill Park car park, OL15 9BG
Milnrow Memorial Park car park, OL16 4JF
Wildhouse Lane lay-by, OL16 3JW

Rochdale

Bentley Street, OL12 6NE
Caldershaw Road, OL12 7LQ
Wasp Avenue, OL11 2AL

Alternatively Springhill Hospice will collect your tree from your home for a minimum donation of £12 and turn it into wood chippings for the hospice grounds. Book a collection at springhill.org.uk/how-you-can-help-us/events/christmas-tree-collection

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 opens 8.30am to 4pm from Monday 29 December to Wednesday 31 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 also continue throughout the Christmas and New Year holiday.

Rochdale Town Hall and The Martlet Kitchen will be closed from 4pm on Wednesday 24 December and will reopen at 5.30pm on Friday 2 January.

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

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