A booking system set up to ease road safety and congestion concerns at West Bridgford recycling centre. under review.
The system has been successful in easing traffic gridlock issues around the Rugby Road site, with a review currently underway on whether it will continue.
The booking system was brought in during summer 2020 after the recycling centre reopened following the first national lockdown.
It came following concerns over the safety on nearby roads, with the site becoming busy at peak times and causing severe congestion in the area.
Nottinghamshire County Council implemented traffic management at all countywide recycling centres, but opted to only implement the booking system in West Bridgford.
Now council documents have revealed the authority’s waste budget is estimated to be in a £449,000 deficit for the 2021/21 tax year.
Around £150,000 of this, the documents say, is being spent implementing the booking system at the Rushcliffe recycling hub.
A further £50,000 is being spent on Covid-19 traffic management at the remaining recycling centres.
The council said the new operating system in West Bridgford increased overall costs but stressed this was in the short-term.
The authority adds a review is currently ongoing on whether to continue with the booking system, following the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions.
Councillor Neil Clarke (Con), chairman of the transport and environment committee, said: “The trial booking system at West Bridgford Recycling Centre has successfully alleviated the road safety concerns identified on Rugby Road in the summer of 2020, but has also required a revised operating model which has increased operating costs in the short-term.
• Council urge safety awareness after traffic gridlock at West Bridgford Recycling Centre
“In light of the withdrawal of all national Covid 19 legal restrictions, I am in the process of reviewing whether those revised arrangements need to continue beyond the summer.”
He added the new administration is reviewing its priorities and plans to assess the wider recycling provision in Rushcliffe borough.
It comes after the authority revealed plans to open a new recycling centre in Cotgrave, helping to ease pressure on the existing West Bridgford site.
The £2.5 million scheme, approved in October 2020, will eventually be based on the old Cotgrave colliery site, off Hollygate Lane.
Councillor Clarke added: “As a new administration we have been reviewing our priorities and considering how best to meet the needs and aspirations of our residents including the wider recycling provision in the Rushcliffe area.”
