RESIDENTS wanting to use Cheshire West’s household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) should ‘allow plenty of time’ for their visit.

That’s according to new advice from the council, following reports of hour-long queues to access the sites, but did not confirm if opening times will be extended to compensate for the queues when asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The authority added that the delays ‘are likely a result of the current Covid-19 restrictions’.

A council spokesperson said: “We are aware that recycling centres are currently very busy on some days. Queues are likely a result of the current Covid-19 restrictions, as we are following the Government guidelines of social distancing to ensure users and employees keep a safe distance of two metres where possible.

“We are advising residents visiting our sites in Winsford, Northwich, Chester and Ellesmere Port that there are potential wait times between 30 mins and an hour.

“As we approach a period where the country is starting to come out of lockdown and more people are using the sites, we have been reviewing our operations at the sites to consider how to make the user experience easier and we will notify residents if changes are made in the future.

“In the meantime, we encourage residents to allow plenty of time and plan their visit to avoid busier times.”

Several social media posts have highlighted the issue, with one resident writing on Northwich Life: “I'm all for recycling and reusing what you can, but sometimes it's just not possible.

“The amount of emissions cars sitting in the queue are producing is bad for the environment anyway.

“Please consider improving not reducing the opening hours CWAC, this place is so busy.”

More information on using the HWRCs can be found on CWAC’s website.