DRIVERS are being urged not to visit the Household Recycling Centre near Chippenham before the new opening time of 10am following reports of huge queues.

Police in Chippenham were called to the HRC, which is run by the Hills Group Ltd, at Stanton St Quinton near Chippenham on Saturday morning as traffic and congestion in the area reached unprecedented levels.

Officers received reports of several near misses on the B4122, between junction 17 of the M4 and Draycot Cerne, as cars attempted to get into the HRC as well as onto the motorway.

Wiltshire Council reduced the HRC opening hours to 10am to 4pm at the beginning of July and closed each centre for two days a week but kept every site open on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We are aware some people have had to queue in order to use their local Household Recycling Centre during what is always a busy summer period and while residents are adjusting to the new opening hours.

“The main queues have built up before the new opening time of 10am, so we would discourage customers from timing their arrival before the site is scheduled to open. We would like to thank site users for their patience during this period of adjustment.”

John Hughes, of Calne, has said he won’t be returning to the recycling centre having experienced the traffic issues first hand on Saturday morning.

He said: “When I went into the site I could see a line of traffic and when I came out, some 25 minutes later, the traffic was stationary from the entrance almost to junction 17.

“There were a lot of vehicles stationary that could not go anywhere. I won’t do it again which is probably thought going through a number of people’s minds. Without pressure it’s going to continue.”

“I spoke to the man from Hills this morning and he was of the opinion its only since the days and hours were changed. Instead of the tip being open seven days a week it’s five and they have shortened the hours. I can understand the reasons why but the policy should be find tuned because its not working at the moment.”

Hills Group, which operates the Household Recycling Centres on behalf of Wiltshire Council, declined to comment in relation to the new opening times and days.

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