CONSTRUCTION at Blandford’s new waste management centre is going smoothly, the council has said, with the facility currently on track to be completed by December of next year.

The new centre will replace the “outdated” site at Blandford Heights Industrial Estate, which Dorset Council said no longer meets the needs of the county’s growing waste services.

“The new facility will offer better access, separate areas for public and commercial use, and stronger environmental protections,” a spokesperson said.

Councillor Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for place services, said: “The Blandford Waste Management Centre is a vital investment in Dorset’s future.

“It will provide a modern, efficient, and environmentally responsible facility for residents and businesses alike. I’m proud of the progress so far and grateful to everyone involved in delivering this important project.”

READ MORE: Historic moment as Shillingstone Station granted permission to carry passengers

READ MORE: Thousands of homes proposed for Blandford, Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Sturminster Marshall and more

Work so far has seen the site compound, where workers and equipment will be based, almost completed, with only road markings left to complete.

The main access road is also nearing completion with the base layers laid up to the corner of the site. Drainage systems to manage rainwater and waste are progressing well, as well as the foundation work for the main building.

The concrete walls for the building are being prepared, with the first section due to be poured soon.

More than 17,625 tonnes of chalk have been dug out and reused, along with 1,438 tonnes of recycled stone and the first 350 cubic metres of concrete have been poured to form the building’s foundations.

Next steps for the site will see the building’s foundations being laid, the installation of drainage systems, including connecting to the main sewer, the building of retaining walls around the customer drop-off area and the installation of a large underground water tank to safely store rainwater and help manage fire safety if needed.

The council said the site contractor, Heidelberg Materials, continue to ensure the site is “safe, secure, and well-managed, with proper facilities for workers.”