Blandford couple refused admission on foot to recycling centre

A story in todays echo highlights the way that access to disposal of bulky household waste is only for some sections of our community - Those with cars! This is the same in Bournemouth, or at least was last time I checked, Te council instead charges £38 to come and pick up items.

Echo Story:

 COUPLE who walked to a recycling tip were refused entry on health and safety grounds – so went home and returned in their car in order to get in.

David and Katie France thought they were being “doubly green” by taking their waste to the recycling centre on foot.

But they were stunned when they were told it was unsafe for them to walk onto the site.

Mr France, 67, of Salisbury Road, Blandford, left his wife and the rubbish at the gate while he walked 400 yards back home to get their Toyota Avensis.

When he returned, he picked up his wife, loaded the vehicle with their metal for recycling, drove onto the site and disposed of the rubbish before driving home.

Mr France said: “It was farcical. I thought we were being doubly green by taking our recycling there on foot.

“But whatever good we did in recycling our waste was probably counteracted by the CO2 emissions we used up in our car.”

He added: “We didn’t want the metal to scuff the upholstery in the car and we felt it was silly to take the car such a short distance.

“When we reached the tip we were met at the gate and told we couldn’t come in.

“We asked why and the blanket phrase of health and safety was given as the reason.”

He said once they had put the metal in the car, another worker offered to help them unload it.

Mr France, a retired radio producer, said: “There is no logic here because people in cars have to get out and walk to unload their recycling.”

A Dorset County Council spokesman said: “In general terms, the household recycling centres are designed for access by car and do not have dedicated access points for pedestrians.

“If residents have walked with the waste from their home then they will be allowed access on foot but will be advised against this practice on safety grounds.”

He said the council would look into providing access for pedestrians when looking at the design of future recycling centres.