Residents urged to avoid recycling centres over busy Easter period
- Temporary traffic management being brought in for four sites
- Centres could close early if queues affect nearby roads
- Late-night Thursday opening coming in from 1 April
Read the story on the Oxfordshire County Council website here or below:
Residents are being urged not to use Oxfordshire’s household waste and recycling centres (HWRCs) over the traditionally busy Easter holiday period if they can avoid doing so.
Alkerton, near Banbury will not have any additional measures nor will, Oakley Wood, near Wallingford; Dix Pit, and Stanton Harcourt, because these sites either have long lead-in roads which can sustain queueing and/or are not immediately adjacent to a main highway. However, all of these sites are still expected to be busy and may still close for short periods or early to allow the queues and sites to clear.
From Friday, 26 March, traffic control measures will be introduced at four of the county’s seven HWRCs for a three-week period, and centres will be closed early or for short periods in the day if queues start affecting surrounding roads. Late-night opening on Thursdays is also being reintroduced from 1 April, with centres staying open until 8pm to help the situation.
The HWRCs have been open for essential journeys only during lockdown but are operating at 50 per cent car parking capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing.
Councillor Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Easter is traditionally a busy time for our household waste and recycling centres, but this year we are asking people to defer their visits until after Easter if they possibly can. If you are certain your visit is absolutely essential then you must be aware that you run the risk of facing long queues and the possibility that the centre might be closed early if these queues start to affect nearby highways.”
The traffic control measures are being brought in at the following sites and dates:
Drayton, near Abingdon: There will be no right turn into the site other than for golf club members. Traffic will then be directed and stacked through the Drayton Golf Club car park. Marshalls will be on hand to offer guidance.
These restrictions will operate on the following dates (inclusive):
- Friday 26 March to Monday 29 March
- Friday 2 April to Monday 5 April
- Friday 9 April to Monday 12 April
The site will operate normally Tuesday to Thursday, and at present it is intended to return to normal from 13 April.
Redbridge, Oxford: There will be no direct public access to the site off Old Abingdon Road. Traffic will be directed through the park-and-ride, following the road around the edge of the site and then being held and controlled at the exit which will be single file for the site (right-hand lane will be right turn only for the park-and-ride vehicles). Marshalls will be on hand at the exit of the park-and-ride and on Old Abingdon Road to offer guidance and direction.
These restrictions will operate on the following dates (inclusive):
- Friday 26 March to Monday 29 March
- Friday 2 April to Monday 5 April
- Friday 9 April to Sunday 11 April
The site will operate normally Tuesday to Thursday, and at present it is intended to return to normal from Monday, 12 April, when access to the park-and-ride will not be possible.
Stanford in the Vale, near Faringdon, and Ardley, near Bicester: Restrictions will be in place preventing vehicles turning right into the site. It is intended the signs and restrictions will be in place from Friday, 26 March, until at least 12 April. Residents need to take this into account and only enter both sites from the right-hand carriageway turning left into the site.
Although these are temporary measures, the main message remains that people should only visit the HWRCs for essential journeys and should defer visits until after Easter if they can.
People who judge their journeys to be essential are urged to be patient and considerate to the HWRC staff and other users. Abuse of our site teams or marshalls will not be tolerated and may lead to refusal of entry and even banning orders. Please wear a mask on site if possible, keep your distance and, most importantly, stay safe.
Late night opening until 8pm on Thursdays are traditionally quieter periods and good way to avoid some of the queues. During the week, 8.30am until 10am and 12 noon – 1pm can also be quieter periods, although this cannot be guaranteed.
Householders are urged to maximise their kerbside collections rather than visit HWRCs. Residents can place additional recycling securely at the side of their bins, small electrical items – up to the size of a toaster – can also be put out separately with recycling collections.
HWRC users are asked to note the current site rules to ensure social distancing. These include:
- One person allowed out the vehicle (two people if you have a heavy item).
- We will only accept contactless payments for chargeable waste.
- Site team members are currently not available to offer assistance, if you need assistance with items please bring someone else with you.
More information can be found here: Oxfordshire County Council’s FAQS: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wastereopenquestions