Long queues at recycling hub prompt booking system

News imageGoogle The entrance to a recycling and waste management site, showing a small brick office building, parked cars, storage containers and access gates.Google
Residents visiting Bilford Road Household Recycling Centre at the weekend or Mondays would need to book a time slot, the council said

Long queues, congestion and traffic delays have prompted the introduction of a booking system at a recycling depot in Worcestershire.

Bilford Road Household Recycling Centre, in Worcester, now requires users to book an appointment for visits at the weekend or on Mondays.

Worcestershire County Council said the system was designed "to help manage demand, reduce congestion and make visits quicker and more convenient".

The new system lets residents book up to six visits within any 14-day period, and while bookings can be made up to two weeks in advance, same day bookings are possible, subject to availability.

The existing option to use the site without a booking remains in place from Tuesday to Friday.

Residents using a trailer or commercial vehicle would continue to require an e-permit to access the centre, the authority added.

County councillor Josh Robinson, cabinet member with responsibility for the environment, said the booking system was designed to help manage demand.

"We are listening to local concerns regarding traffic management around the Bilford Road site," he said.

"We know that the site can become extremely busy at weekends and on Mondays, leading to long queues and delays for residents."

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