THE operators of the Trowbridge Recycling Centre say traffic congestion issues have improved but add that only so much can be done within the restrictions of the site.

FCC Environment closed the Canal Road Industrial Estate centre for two weeks in November to rejig the Wiltshire Council-owned site, formerly operated by Hills Waste.

Some locals said the new layout had improved traffic flow but others said putting in eight steps to containers for people to dump their rubbish is making it harder for some users.

Nicola Towell, area manager south east for FCC Environment, said: “Within the physical constraints of the site provided by the council, FCC believes that the changes we have introduced have improved the site from a number of perspectives including that of the layout, which has been designed to allow a better through-flow of traffic.

“Onsite capacity has also been improved with additional containers provided for the most popular materials, as well as more parking spaces for cars to unload on site. We welcome feedback from users of the site.”

Trowbridge councillors also said that something should be done so that cars can only enter and exit the centre by making left turns, as long tailbacks still formed over New Year.

In regards to making left turns in and out of the site, Ms Towell said: “As providers of the service we will be monitoring traffic flows. We are confident that the layout of the site will help alleviate previous traffic issues in Canal Road.

“FCC and the council will jointly monitor how the site is used on a regular basis, in order to assess if further improvements could be made. Specific questions regarding the highway should be directed to Wiltshire Council as the Highways Authority.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “The Trowbridge CATG were due to discuss the site entrance some time ago, but at that time our waste and highways services were already talking about ways to mitigate any traffic issues at the site, so it didn’t go any further at that stage. “It’s still early days for the new layout and we’re confident it will help alleviate traffic issues and together with FCC the flow will be monitored regularly.”