‘Let us walk to the tip again’ - Worcester resident slams car-only policy

Bob Jones, of Wordsworth Avenue, which is behind the tip in Bilford Road, says he has been taking items on foot for decades but since reopening after lockdown, the tip has become car only.

Mr Jones said this was an issue for him as he wasn’t a driver, but pointed out even his car driving neighbours were bemused by the policy as some were forced to make a round trip of just 400 metres.

Mr Jones said: “For decades we have hand-carried items such as empty bottles (which the bin-men do not take), old newspapers, cardboard cartons and, by wheelbarrow, garden cuttings and twigs, etc.

“Since our taxes go to support the tip, we ought to enjoy the same access as motorists.

“When I originally raised it (with the council) I was told I ought to make compost.

READ MORE: Air pollution 'drastically increased' from Worcester tip, say neighbours

READ MORE: Crossroads Caring for Carers asks government for 'urgent' guidance for discharged patients returning home

“They (Worcestershire County Council) talk of promoting recycling and the environment - it is contradictory to be car only.

“The council say they are working on a solution to enable walk ins to recommence, this makes no sense, surely the solution is to open it to pedestrians.

“My near neighbours are a well natured lot, but they are rather upset by this.”

Mr Jones said he originally took the items to be recycled as he lived so near and to give hard working council staff a break, and had carried on ever since with no previous problems.

Councillor Tony Miller, cabinet member with responsibility for the environment said: “The social distancing measures and restrictions in place, which include not being able to walk waste into any of our sites at present, are there to keep staff and visitors safe, especially whilst the Household Recycling Centres are so busy.

"We need to manage the number of visitors who come onto the site. The no walk in restriction is a temporary measure that we hope to stop as soon as we have agreed with the contractor a way to reinstate the service without increasing risk.

"Also, whilst the site is so busy, there is a queuing system in place so we need consider how walk ins would affect this, given only a certain number of people are allowed onsite at any one time.

"Please bear with us whilst we continue to work through how we can make the sites accessible and safe for all our residents.”

We previously reported that Mr Jones highlighted there have been more cars on the road, causing traffic jams on a one-way system, due to the car only rule.

He said this had been made worse by the traffic control system at the tip which requires drivers to queue, leaving their car engines on and awaiting their turn to drive via Perdiswell Leisure Centre car park to access the tip - which consequently was also causing more noise and air pollution in the area.