West Bridgford councillor Hari Om says a series of short-term measures are being considered to help tackle long queues at the Recycling Centre on Rugby Road in West Bridgford, as pressure continues at the busy site.
Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about lengthy waits to access the recycling centre, particularly at weekends and during busy periods.
Councillor Om ( County Councillor for Nottinghamshire County Council (West Bridgford West Division) and Borough Councillor for Rushcliffe Borough Council (Compton Acres) said he had been working with Nottinghamshire County Council officers to press for immediate improvements while longer-term options for the future of the site are explored.
Measures now being actively considered include extending opening hours to spread demand across the day, increasing staffing levels to improve traffic flow and reduce waiting times, and launching a communications campaign encouraging residents to visit during quieter periods.
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He said the steps would not solve every issue immediately but could help ease current pressure on the site.
At the same time, wider work is continuing to review the long-term future of the Rugby Road centre, including the possibility of relocating it to a larger and more suitable site.
Councillor Om said calls from some residents to reintroduce the booking system used during the Covid pandemic were understandable, but argued it was no longer practical in the current circumstances.
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He said the previous system relied on the Nottingham Arena car park being used as a waiting area for vehicles, which is no longer available, particularly at weekends. He added that the layout of the site also creates difficulties, as once vehicles enter the slip road there is limited scope to turn around safely if the centre is full.
He also said the former booking arrangement came with a six-figure operating cost because of additional staffing requirements, which would be difficult to justify now.
According to Councillor Om, the larger issue is that the current recycling centre is no longer fit for purpose, with limited capacity and longstanding complaints about congestion, noise and odour affecting nearby residents.
He said only a new, modern facility in a better location would fully address those problems, while short-term changes may help reduce pressure in the meantime.
