DISPOSAL of household waste in East Dorset is such a headache that council chiefs are preparing to investigate replacing or improving Wimborne's Brook Road tip.

A report that went before Dorset County Council's cabinet said the Brook Road site was "inadequate" to cope with the extra burden being put on it since East Dorset residents were banned from using Bournemouth's Millham's site.

Cllr John Wilson said the problems were particularly bad for residents from Ferndown, West Parley and Longham, some of whom queued for hours at a time last autumn to dispose of rubbish.

But he praised the hard work of staff at Brooks Road under "difficult conditions".

Cllr Wilson told the Daily Echo: "Whatever they do to ease the problems at Brook Road won't solve the problem this year.

"We have an immediate problem and that is only a long term solution.

"The people of Ferndown have a right to expect that the facilities they enjoy will be reinstated and that in return for their council tax they can expect the county will be prepared to invest in preserving the Millham's tip facilities."

Councillors did not go along with a recommendation that they should not make or receive payment to allow use of recycling centres across council boundaries.

They agreed to continue discussions with Bournemouth Borough Council.

They also agreed to develop proposals to replace or improve the Brook Road site and include the scheme in the capital programme. It could cost up to £1.6 million.

There were no discussions as to where a new tip could be constructed.

First published: February 7