Changes to pedestrian access at select household recycling centres in Aberdeenshire

Pedestrian access to Aberdeenshire Council’s household recycling centres in Fraserburgh, Huntly, Insch, Laurencekirk, Portsoy, and Turriff is switching to locally agreed and arranged visits only from Monday 31 August 2026. 

A pedestrian access half hour was originally introduced at this selection of household recycling centres to provide inclusive access for residents without vehicles. In practice, these slots were most often used by vehicle owners parking outside the facilities and then entering on foot. 

To allow pedestrian access to support those it is intended for, genuine walk-in customers for Fraserburgh, Huntly, Insch, Laurencekirk, Portsoy, and Turriff can make arrangements by speaking to a member of staff on site at their local household recycling centre. 

Typically, there are only one to three genuine walk-in customers per site, allowing site staff to talk directly to those residents in due course to ensure they are aware of the change. 

These changes allow household recycling centres to continue to safely support residents who do not have access to a vehicle while remaining vigilant against rogue businesses who attempt to use the sites at the expense of residents. At the same time, car owners benefit from extended access to these sites across their opening hours.  

Alford and Westhill household recycling centres will keep their pedestrian access half hour, without a need to book. These half-hour slots remain only for residents who do not have access to a vehicle: 

We ask that all visitors to our household recycling centres check the website prior to travelling in case of a change in opening times, a need to book, a closure, to see what items are accepted, and the type of vehicles that are welcomed. When visiting, please arrive early enough to unload the vehicle before the lunchtime or end-of-day close.