Complaints made as traffic problems at Derby tip continue

Raynesway tip in Derby. Image by Derbyshire Live. Description: GV General view of Household Waste Recycling Centre, Direct Incineration Plant, Raynesway, Derby DE21 7BA Derby Tip, Derby Recycling Centre

Traffic problems around Derby’s tip should soon ease up amid fresh concerns over heavy congestion – a city leader has insisted .

Derby City Council’s Labour administration decided to remove its booking system at the Raynesway Household Waste Recycling Centre on Sundays only.

Between Monday and Saturday, a pre-booking appointment is needed for residents to use the facility and dispose of household waste.

The decision to remove the booking system on Sundays was made in a bid to improve accessibility and to reduce fly-tipping on the city’s streets.

Last year, it was reported that after the free sessions started, the tip attracted around 700 to 800 visitors each Sunday, around double the number of visitors compared to when booking on Sundays was required.

But the free-for-all access on Sundays has seen heavy traffic around the Alvaston area.

The management of the near Blue Jay pub previously said the traffic was so bad it was “losing thousands” of pounds in trade on a Sunday – one of its busiest days of the week, and concerns over weekend traffic around the area have resurfaced recently on social media.

A photograph posted on Facebook showing traffic queues at the Raynesway Household Waste and Recycling Centre prompted dozens of comments about the booking system and whether or not it should be in place on Sundays.

The management of the Blue Jay pub say heavy traffic remains a problem on a Sunday and “customers complain” about it.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has approached Marston’s, who run the pub, for further comment.

But Derby City Council says there is “clear demand” for booking-free Sundays at the tip and is proving to be “very popular”.

Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, cabinet member for Streetpride, said any traffic problems should ease up around the area ahead of the coming autumn and winter months.

He said: “We want to make it easier for residents to do the right thing and make Derby cleaner and greener by recycling as much of their waste as possible.

“By offering booked sessions Monday to Saturday and booking-free sessions on Sundays, we’re providing residents with the choice to decide what best fits their needs.

“We understand that traffic congestion is a concern. As we move into autumn, demand typically reduces, which should help ease this issue.”

Councillor Onuoha added that data gathering on booking-free Sundays is taking place and will be analysed should there be any future decision-making regarding the site.