THE chief executive of Hills Waste has spoken of his disappointment after the firm lost a contract to manage household recycling centres in Wiltshire.

It was announced on Tuesday that the waste management firm had lost the Wiltshire Council contract to Trowbridge company FCC Environment.

In 2015 there was an uproar when opening times were reduced after Wiltshire Council announced central government had cut funding by £15 million.

It led to a number of complaints about queues, especially on Saturday mornings in Trowbridge and Devizes. But it was announced this week that the change of management is unlikely to lead to longer hours.

Hills will continue to manage recycling and transfer services, garden waste composting services, treatment and disposal of residual waste and waste collection services and there will be some changes to the way recycling is organised.

Mike Hill, chief executive of The Hills Group, said: “We are disappointed that this will no longer extend to the nine council-owned household recycling centres that Hills has successfully provided to Wiltshire Council and its residents in the past. We will work with the council and the incoming contractor to assist with a smooth transition of these services.”

Staff at the council-owned recycling centres, which include sites in Devizes, Stanton St Quintin, Everleigh and Marlborough, will move to the new firm under TUPE guidelines.

Since winning the contract FCC Environmental has confirmed that it will be looking at improving the recycling centres but plans have yet to be agreed.

Bridget Wayman, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for waste services, said: “I am delighted we have now confirmed these contracts and we can get on with the job of improving our waste and recycling services for residents.

“We already have great working relationships with both Hills Waste Solutions and FCC Environment and they are both as committed as we are to providing the best possible service.”

As part of the shake-up, Hills will be making some changes to the way waste is collected starting from next July in an attempt to streamline recycling services.

Cllr Wayman added: “I am delighted that the changes coming into effect next July mean people can recycle even more at the kerbside.”