PEOPLE from outside Somerset and larger vehicles are being banned from from the county's recycling sites.

The move, coming into operation on Monday, October 3, aims to cut congestion, improve services and enhance safety.

Out-of-county visitors with vans or trailers, who are blamed for causing longer queues at a cost to Somerset council taxpayers, will be turned away.

Drivers of smaller vans or cars with a small trailer will need a free permit to use open sites on weekdays and from 1pm to 4pm on Saturdays.

A Somerset Waste Partnership spokesman said: “These steps will cut queues, limit delays, reduce costs and ensure sites are safer and easy-to-use for Somerset residents making 1.5 million visits a year.

“Somerset is responding to residents’ demands on queues and site entry controls, and – unusually for us – catching up with other local authorities’ actions to improve waste services.

“Many neighbouring councils already have similar restrictions, either based on vehicle size or where customers live. Some would bar those with a Somerset address from their sites.”

Drivers of cars, estates, 4x4s and campervans will not be affected.

The new rules include.

  • •Vans over 3.5 tonnes or box (Luton) vans, agricultural vehicles, horse boxes, trailers over three-metre floor length or with multiple axles, and vans with trailers, cannot use sites.
  • •Vans up to 3.5T, pick-ups, and trailers up to three-metre floor length require a free permit.
  • •Permit vehicles can only use sites at weekends between 1pm and 4pm on Saturdays, already the commonest time for these vehicles.
  • •Businesses paying at the 10 sites taking trade waste need no permit but - at everywhere except Taunton and Highbridge - must observe the same permit measures as residents.

A survey of people in Somerset showed 87 per cent are satisfied with the recycling sites, but most want controls or bans on large vehicles and visitors from outside the county.

The SWP spokesman added: “This scheme will make a big difference to the problem of recycling site traffic jams caused by large vehicles, many of which aren't from Somerset.

“Somerset’s rising population, greater vehicle ownership, and soaring recycling site visit numbers – up 400,000 in recent years to more than 1.5 million in 2015-16 – all contribute to congestion.

“But certain users and vehicles cause more problems. Large vans and long trailers not only take up more space, but also bring in far more waste, slowing down those queuing behind.

“And it's clear that Somerset’s sites are regularly used by out-of-county visitors, who contribute nothing to meet the cost of waste services.

“Our aim is a swift, smooth and safe recycling site visit every time for all Somerset residents; getting many more vehicles out of their way will be a great help.”

To apply for a permit go to www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/permit