CUMBRIA County Council has warned there are currently delays at the council’s 14 household waste and recycling centres (HWRC’s), which were recently opened following a temporary closure at the beginning of lockdown.

The HWRC sites are all currently experiencing an increased level of demand, and as such, waiting times and traffic congestion around the sites is increasing.

The council has said there is no need to dispose of household waste at HWRC sites, as district councils continue to make kerb-side collections. The increased health and safety guidance, and the requirement for fewer vehicles to be allowed onto HWRC sites at the same time, has also contributed to the increased waiting times and traffic around sites.

Cllr Celia Tibble, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment said:“I’d like to thank everyone for their patience who has visited one of our sites to dispose of their additional waste since they re-opened. On the whole, all our sites are coping well with the demand, with the exception of Frizington, Clay Flatts Workington, Kendal and Carlisle whose access roads can struggle to cope with the increased volume of traffic.

“Keeping staff and the public safe is our absolute priority and the guidance in place will help to ensure this is maintained, and also make the roads around the HWRC sites less congested and help to minimise the disruption for our local residents.”