Kettering and Rushden tips to open for an extra day to tackle traffic chaos

The tips in Kettering and Rushden will open for an extra day each week in a bid to reduce queues which have spilled onto nearby roads.

Both sites will now open on Mondays, from March 29, as part of a three-month trial designed to alleviate the problems they've faced ever since they re-opened last year.

In May police were called to Kettering's Garrard Way tip because of two-hour queues, with Rushden's also closing because of traffic on the approach roads around Northampton Road.

Social distancing measures mean fewer vehicles are able to unload at one time, meaning queues outside often form at peak times. Northamptonshire County Council hope that by opening for an additional day it will spread the visits out more.

Cllr Jason Smithers, county council cabinet member for transport, highways and waste, said: “We’re seeing increased volumes of traffic at our HWRCs (household waste recycling centres)and while Spring is normally a busy time it has been greatly exacerbated by the current pandemic.

“I’m delighted that we can temporarily extend the opening hours at three of the HWRCs to help alleviate the problem. However the demand is such that we would anticipate the sites to still be very busy, particularly as the weather starts to improve.

“In line with Government guidance to keep everyone safe, I encourage residents to stay at home and avoid attending the sites unless it is absolutely necessary.”

The new Monday opening will also be introduced at the Sixfields tip in Northampton.

The other six sites in the county - Corby, Brixworth, Daventry, Ecton Lane, Towcester and Wellingborough - are all currently open on Mondays.

While the measures are being introduced by Northamptonshire County Council, after April 1 both West Northamptonshire Council and North Northamptonshire Council will continue with the extended opening.

Cllr Steven North, North Northants shadow authority member for planning, strategic planning, regulatory and enforcement services, said: “In our area both Kettering and Rushden are very popular sites so coming up to the Easter weekend and the Spring bank holidays it makes absolute sense for us to continue this extended opening, particularly at the moment with the current pandemic.”