SOMERSET NEWS: New recycling site measures to cut congestion

NEW steps to cut congestion, improve services and enhance safety at recycling sites are being taken later this year by Somerset Waste Partnership.

The size of vehicles will be limited so the vast majority of users are not held up or put at risk by large, heavily laden or hard-to-manoeuvre trucks and trailers.

And out-of-county visitors with vans or trailers will be directed to use their own recycling sites rather than add to the queues or council tax costs of Somerset householders.

Drivers of smaller vans will need to go online and order a free permit allowing use at open sites on weekdays and 1pm-4pm on Saturdays, as will car drivers using a small trailer.

A SWP spokesman said: “These steps will cut queues, limit delays, reduce costs and ensure sites are safer and easy-to-use for Somerset residents making 1.5 million visits a year.

“Somerset is responding to residents’ demands on queues and site entry controls, and – unusually for us – catching up with other local authorities’ actions to improve waste services.

“Many neighbouring councils already have similar restrictions, either based on vehicle size or where customers live; some would bar those with a Somerset address from their sites.”

Surveys of Somerset residents have shown an 87% satisfaction rating for recycling sites, with a majority wanting controls or bans on large vehicles and visitors from outside the county.

As part of the scheme, from Monday 3 October:

·        Drivers of cars, estates, 4x4s and campervans will see no change, except fewer queues.

·        Vans over 3.5 tonnes or box (Luton) vans, agricultural vehicles, horse boxes, trailers over three-metre floor length or with multiple axles, and vans with trailers, cannot use sites.

·        Vans up to 3.5T, pick-ups, and trailers up to three-metre floor length require a free permit.

·        Cutting delays, permit vehicles can only use sites at weekends between 1pm and 4pm on Saturdays, which is already the commonest time for these vehicles.

·        Businesses paying at the 10 sites taking trade waste need no permit but - at all sites except Highbridge and Taunton - must observe the same permit measures as residents.

Applications for the free permits can be made online at www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/permit.

Full details of which vehicles and trailers are affected are available from the same address, which is where residents can register for updates about the new rules and how it works.

The SWP spokesman added: “This scheme will make a big difference to the problem of recycling site traffic jams caused by large vehicles, many of which are not from Somerset.

“Somerset’s rising population, greater vehicle ownership, and soaring recycling site visit numbers – up 400,000 in recent years to more than 1.5m in 2015-16 – all contribute to congestion.

“But certain users and vehicles cause more problems. Large vans and long trailers not only take up more space, but also bring in far more waste, slowing down those queuing behind.

“And it is clear that Somerset’s sites are regularly used by out-of-county visitors, who contribute nothing to meet the cost of waste services.

“Our aim is a swift, smooth and safe recycling site visit every time for all Somerset residents; getting many more vehicles out of their way will be a great help.”

There have already been fears mentioned on social media, however, that the moves could see an increase in fly-tipping.

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