THE CITY’S household waste and recycling centre could be relocated to the former site of Perdiswell Park and Ride, the Observer can reveal.
Bosses at Worcester City Council have revealed they are ‘seriously considering’ the move after calls were made by local councillor Coun Gareth Jones.
Taxpayers have been paying £3,000 per month to keep the John Comyn Drive site secure since Worcestershire County Council controversially scrapped the park and ride service in September.
But Coun Jones has now come up with a proposal, which could see the city council-owned site become the new household waste and recycling centre for Worcester.
The Conservative councillor believes the move would alleviate traffic on Bilford Road as he said vehicles are often queueing beyond the canal bridge on some days to use the existing tip.
“I have received so much grief from people living on Kingston Avenue and other residents off Bilford Road because the traffic congestion is so bad, especially on Bank Holidays,” he said.
“If it moved from here, it would benefit highway users, local residents and ease traffic congestion. I have seen the queues go back as far as Kingston Avenue.
“If you look at the park and ride site, it is governed by traffic lights, it is on a principal road and there are no homes whereas the current waste site is stuck in the middle of a residential area.”
Coun Andy Roberts, cabinet member of Cleaner and Greener City, said he and council leader Coun Simon Geraghty had agreed to examine whether the move would be possible.
“What Gareth has come up with is very worthy of looking at and it could only have come from the local member, so it will be very seriously considered,” Coun Roberts said.
“What we have got to now take into account is the cost of moving and planning permission and you can’t do that without consulting with local people in the area.
“But having said that it is a very exciting idea.”
He added: “As a frequent user of the site, I have been one of those who has come on a busy day and seen the frustration of people who can’t do their recycling.
“It is a well run site, but it is in an unfortunate location and needs to be looked at.”
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