Six-day week at Northampton tip as council bids to cut queues

Sixfields site will open additionally on Mondays ready for 'spring-cleaning'
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Council chiefs have ordered Northampton's main rubbish tip to open for an extra day in a bid to reduce queues of traffic attempting to get in.

Sixfields household waste recycling centre will operate a six-day week opening additionally on Mondays from next week.

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The move comes after reports of hour-long tailbacks causing chaos around retail parks in the area.

Reduced capacity due to social distancing at tips has led to massive queues outsideReduced capacity due to social distancing at tips has led to massive queues outside
Reduced capacity due to social distancing at tips has led to massive queues outside

Similar measures are being brought in at Kettering and Rushden so that all nine sites in the county will be open for four days between Friday and Monday.

Jason Smithers, county council cabinet member for transport, highways and waste, said: “We’re seeing increased volumes of traffic at our HWRCs and while Spring is normally a busy time it has been greatly exacerbated by the current pandemic.

“I’m delighted that we can temporarily extend the opening hours at three of the HWRCs to help alleviate the problem. However the demand is such that we would anticipate the sites to still be very busy, particularly as the weather starts to improve.

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“In line with Government guidance to keep everyone safe, I encourage residents to stay at home and avoid attending the sites unless it is absolutely necessary.”

READ THIS: Why are there hour-long ques at Northampton tips — the councilor in charge explains

The measures are being introduced by Northamptonshire County Council which will hand over responsibility to West Northamptonshire Council on April 1. The new unitary authority will continue the additional hours initially for a three-month period

Cllr Phil Larratt, West Northants shadow authority member for Highways and Waste, said: “We were very keen to continue with this extended opening day at the Sixfields site after vesting day as it’s essential that we cater for this increased volume at the site.

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"Spring is by far the busiest time of year at the HWRCs so it makes sense to introduce this temporary measure meeting the needs of our residents.”

Demand for local HWRCs stayed high throughout the Covid-19 pandemic – thought to be because residents have had more time at home for DIY and gardening projects.

But social distancing measures required to be in place at all HWRC sites means fewer vehicles are able to unload at any one time, leading to queues of vehicles outside.

Residents are reminded, however, that journeys should only be made if essential in line with government guidance and there there are ways the number of visits can be reduced and made quicker:

■ Consider if waste can be safely stored at home

■ Make fewer visits but with larger loads

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■ Separate waste into different recyclable materials before a visit to make unloading faster

All the county's nine recycling centres are open from 10am to 6pm on their assigned days.

■ MONDAY — Brixworth, Corby, Daventry, Kettering, Ecton Lane, Sixfields, Rushden, Towcester, Wellingborough

■ TUESDAY — Corby, Daventry, Sixfields, Wellingborough

■ WEDNESDAY — Kettering, Sixfields, Rushden,

■ THURSDAY — Brixworth, Corby, Kettering, Ecton Lane, Rushden, Towcester,

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■ FRIDAY — Brixworth, Corby, Daventry, Kettering, Ecton Lane, Sixfields, Rushden, Towcester, Wellingborough

■ SATURDAY — Brixworth, Corby, Daventry, Kettering, Ecton Lane, Sixfields, Rushden, Towcester, Wellingborough

■ SUNDAY — Brixworth, Corby, Daventry, Kettering, Ecton Lane, Sixfields, Rushden, Towcester, Wellingborough