THURROCK Council has responding to concerns over what residents perceive to be increased use and congestion at Linford's household waste and recycling site.

Over the past two weekends residents in East Tilbury were among many who took to social media to comment on the length of queues outside the tip on Buckingham Hill Road, and concerns were also expressed by local councillors.

East Tilbury councillor Sue Sammons described the situation as 'potentially deadly', expressing concerns that it appeared only a matter of time before there was a serious accident with people attempting to jump or bypass the queue outside the tip, while Cllr Gary Byrne from the Homesteads ward also expressed his fears that the situation was dangerous and is likely to get worse as the effects of the withdrawal of the free brown bin collection service, coupled with the growing season, kick in.

He released a film of the queue. as an illustration of the problem.

However, the council has given an assurance it believes fears are misplaced, though it says it is looking at how things might be improved.

A statement says: "We have seen higher than usual traffic at the HWRC over the last two weekends, which is not unusual at this time of year.

"Despite the increased number of visitors everyone who has wanted to access the HWRC has been able to do so.

"It is not unusual to experience higher traffic, and longer waits at the HWRC, at weekends. Our best advice is to try and visit during the week, if you can, to avoid busier times.

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"The council is looking into additional measures which could be put into place to speed up access and processes at the site."

And among those raising concerns about processes at the tip, one resident has highlighted the fact that people who just have a van which doubles up for work or domestic use are being disadvantaged by removal of a previous van and small lorry permit scheme.

The resident, who uses a camper van, contacted Thurrock Nub News to say: "I dare say that you have had a lot of contacts regarding the total blanket ban on vans not being allowed access to the the site.

"A lot of people for one reason or another have a van that is their only form of transport, I myself have a small fully converted campervan and that is my only form of transport.

"This blanket ban would seem to be very unfair on people like myself who wish to legally dispose of unwanted items.

"The last time I visited the site with my campervan before the ban I had to show my ID plus permit and also fill in a form to state what I was disposing of and this was checked by the official on the gate, that system would appear stop any commercial tradesmen abusing the site. I would assume that this blanket ban must have led to more fly-tipping which is obviously bad for the environment. 

"Is there any chance this blanket ban could be looked at again to help people like myself and others?"

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The council responded by saying: "Residents who use a small van, or a single-wheel axle trailer less than 1.8m, can access the tip as long as they as they have applied for a permit.

"More information about the permit scheme can be found on our website at: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/linford-household-waste-and-recycling-centre-tip/permits-for-large-vehicles-or-trailers."