DRIVERS and residents in Thurrock have reported some confusion after changes to the way Thurrock Council is managing the traffic flow around Linford Household Waste and Recycling Tip.

Since the tip reopened in May the council has been operating a one way system along Buckingham Hill Road and Walton Hall Farm Road to allow 'stacking' of traffic outside the tip in safety. After some initial problems and grumbles the scheme has worked well.

The measure was imposed between 7am and 5pm but the roads flowed as normal outside those times.

Over time the queues have declined and waiting times at the tip have dropped significantly, but this week Thurrock Council decided to make the one way loop a 24 hour measure.

There was little publicity about the change and some drivers over the past two days have found themselves caught out by the change, which will be in place for the next 19 days at least.

Full details of the new rules can be found below:

Traffic Regulation Order (TRO)

Temporary prohibition or restriction on roads

Order number: 075, 2020

Buckingham Hill Road, Waltons Hall Road and Butts Lane, Linford

1)The Borough Council of Thurrock is satisfied that it is necessary to restrict or prohibit traffic in the above road without delay because of the likelihood of danger to the public or serious damage to the road.

2) The Council, in exercise of its powers under Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and all other enabling powers, has therefore made the following Notice:

prohibit any vehicles from travelling southbound along Buckingham Hill Road between its junction with A1013 Stanford Road and Waltons Hall Road/Northumberland Road

prohibit any vehicles from travelling northbound along Waltons Hall Road from its junctions with Buckingham Hill Road and Butts Lane

prohibit any vehicle from travelling northbound along Butts Lane from its junctions with Waltons Hall Road and St Andrews Way roundabout

temporarily revoke the 7.5t weight restriction on London Road and Butts Lane in order to facilitate the diversion route for all vehicle classes

3) The purpose of the Order is to facilitate the safe management of traffic in the vicinity of the Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC) and to allow British Telecom works at the junction Buckingham Hill Road and Stanford Road.

4) The alternative route for those wishing to travel southbound on Buckingham Hill Road will be London Road, Butts Lane, Waltons Hall Road, and for vehicles wishing to travel northbound along Waltons Hall Road, from Buckingham Hill Road will be to use Buckingham Hill Road and Stanford Road, for vehicles wishing to travel northbound on Butts Lane from Mucking Wharf Road will be southbound on Waltons Hall Road, Buckingham Hill Road, Stanford Road and London Road. The HWRC site will remain open and accessible from the southern (Linford) side of the site.

5) The Notice will be in force for 21 days from 7:30am on Monday 29 June 2020 continuously for 24 hours a day, however when the A13 is closed under Order 116 - 2018, Buckingham Hill Road will be closed in accordance with the times on Order 99 - 2019. It will apply only on those days and during those times when indicated on site by the presence of the appropriate traffic signs in accordance with The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.