Disruption at Wakefield, South Kirkby and Glass Houghton recycling centres resolved, council leader says

Huge tailbacks were seen at the Glass Houghton site last Monday - the day the council reopened the centre | jpimedia

Disruption at recycling centres in Wakefield has been resolved, the council's leader has said.

Huge queues formed outside tips in Wakefield, Glass Houghton and South Kirkby at the beginning of last week after reopening.

Staff also reported being verbally abused at the sites as frustrations among some members of the public boiled over.

But council leader Denise Jeffery said on Monday the issues had been eased.

Councillor Jeffery said the local authority would "monitor the situation" going forward. | jpimedia

She said: "I know there was a bit of a furore with people getting impatient.

"It seems to have sorted itself out now over the last few days. We have put more staff on and we'll be monitoring the situation.

"There were a few issues with behaviour. I think some people were a bit frustrated and wanted to be out of there.

Coun Jeffery also criticised the way the government eased lockdown measures last week, describing their message as "wishy washy".

The local authority reopened its country parks in the district at the start of last week, but with the rate of infection across the country rising again, Councillor Jeffery said she would reluctantly close them again if necessary.

"If we have to, we have to," she added.

"People have been sensible and I certainly wouldn't want to close them again.

"I think it's right that people should be able to go out more round and about where they live.

"But the problem with the government advice was telling people they can travel. If you live in Filey for instance, you wouldn't want visitors coming in from all over.

"A lot of the seaside places won't feel any economic benefit either, because shops and businesses are still shut."

Local Democracy Reporting Service