ALL council-owned tips in Wiltshire will close for refurbishment later this year.

Salisbury will shut from November 9 to 18, Amesbury will close November 21 to December 1, and Warminster from October 11 to 20.

It comes as a new contract to operate the nine council-owned centres begins on October 2.

Each site in the county will be closed for between one and two weeks.

The council says it has timed the closures to “ensure that disruption to residents is kept to a minimum”.

Works are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Apart from during the closure period for refurbishment, all sites will be operating the normal opening days and hours.

The council said it would improve traffic management to reduce queues where possible.

White lines will be repainted and new containers will be installed, alongside new signs and staff uniforms.

People will be able to donate more reusable items, including tools and bikes.

New mobile compaction machinery, similar to a JCB digger, will mean sites should not have to close during the working day for full containers to be replaced.

Bridget Wayman, Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: “We of course don’t want to inconvenience people but these short closures are necessary to allow us a smooth transition to the new contract.

“I’d like to thank people for their patience while these works are carried out.

“The good news for residents is the centres will be refurbished and improved which we hope will make it a better experience for everyone who uses them.”