THE long queues to Swindon's recycling depot on Sunday mornings should soon be nothing more than a bad memory.

Demolition has begun on a six-storey disused packaging factory in Derby Close, Cheney Manor, to make way for a state-of-the-art civic amenity, including a vast recycling centre.

The site will become the new headquarters of Swindon Services, which is responsible for the borough's waste disposal.

Parts of the former Herchst Tres-paphan packaging factory will be retained and modified to provide office accommodation.

The cost has already been budgeted for, so will not affect council tax.

"When the site is finished there will be at least 12 bays, making it a much faster service for people using the tip," said Coun Fionuala Foley (Con, Old Town and Lawns), the council's lead member for Swindon Services.

"Anyone who has ever had to queue for ages on Sunday mornings at the current site will welcome this with open arms.

"And the beauty is that it is a self-funded project and won't be an added burden on council taxpayers."

The plan is for all of the Swindon Services operation to transfer to the Cheney Manor Industrial Park next May. The tip, currently in a cramped base at Barnfield Road, will be enlarged to occupy many acres at Cheney Manor.

The sub-depot at the County Ground, which houses lawnmowers and horticultural equipment, will also be moving there.

A second phase will see the Enter-prise Works, which employs disabled workers in making fences and sheds and running a printing section, being established on the site.

A purpose-built shop front for Enterprise Works will be just inside the main entrance to the new site for maximum impact.

John Short, the director of Swindon Services, and Coun Foley set the demolition process in motion yesterday.

"This is one of those improvements to the quality of life of people all over Swindon that has the advantage of not costing them a penny, which can't be bad in this day and age," said Coun Foley.

Michael Litchfield