A bottle bank site in Reading that became plagued by flytipping for years has finally been sealed off.

The bottle bank in Erleigh Road near its junction with Addington Road in East Reading became a flytipping hotspot with heaps of rubbish regularly being dumped there.

Along with three bottle bins, two clothing recycling bins were provided at the site.

The site also serves as an electricity substation managed by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).

READ MORE: Closure of site plagued by flytipping announced 

However, all recycling facilities have now been removed from the site following a decision by SSEN with the consent of Reading Borough Council.

Access has been restricted by steel grated barriers and a lock and key which electricity staff can use to gain access to the site.

Reading Chronicle: The SSEN power sub station and former bottle bank site in Erleigh Road, East Reading, now sealed off from the public. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

A spokesperson for SSEN said: “We have been working with the council to address security and safety in relation to the substation, which provides power to hundreds of local homes and businesses.

“As safety is a key priority for SSEN – for customers, site staff and the integrity of the electricity infrastructure itself – an agreement was reached that enabled SSEN to securely fence off the substation.”

Following the closure, neighbours can recycle their glass at the nearby bottle bank outside the Monkey Lounge in Erleigh Road, and also at the bottle and clothes recycling banks at Palmer Park Leisure Centre, Cintra Park and Whitley Street.

The change was made on Friday, March 1.