PARISH councillors in Sutton Benger are concerned about potentially serious accidents following changes to the opening times of the nearby Household Recycling Centre, which have caused long traffic queues on local roads.

The parish council has written to the head of waste management at Wiltshire Council with a list of issues regarding the changes, which were brought in at the beginning of July.

Wiltshire Council reduced the HRC opening hours to 10am to 4pm and closed the centre near Chippenham every Thursday and Friday.

The council has since made several changes to how the site operates andput up new highway signs in the area.

Councillors stressed the negative impacts that changes to the HRC, that borders their parish, are creating including road safety and fly tipping.

The parish council have requested that Wiltshire Council modifies the opening times, or otherwise improves the access or design of the site, in order to prevent potentially serious accidents or injury.

Their letter says: “Sutton Benger Parish Council would encourage Wiltshire Council to rethink its Household Recycling Centre policy and consider providing more flexible and longer opening times.

“If this is impossible, then attention must be spent on improving the road infrastructure (to include specific filter lanes on both sides) along the B4122 before a serious but avoidable road fatality occurs.”

There are fears within the parish council that the dramatic increase of queuing traffic both ways along the B4122 is making the road extremely hazardous to road safety.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “To help alleviate the issue, we have made several changes to the way the site operates, and some new highway signage is being put in place. However, we are continuing to monitor the situation closely.”

Councillors also noted that further development of Chippenham Pit Stop, which recently opened a new convenience store, may add to the issues on the B4122.

The Pit Stop’s former shop has been transformed into a full convenience store stocking local produce, essentials and other items as part of a £140,000 improvement scheme, which also involved upgrading the restaurant.

People are advised by Wiltshire Council to visit the website at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/household-recycling-centres to ensure they are familiar with the current arrangements, including the days that sites are closed before setting off.