Westmill recycle site

News and views on businesses and commerce in Ware.
Matt40
Posts: 266
Joined: Mon 12 Apr 2010 12:00 am
Location: Ware

Westmill recycle site

Post by Matt40 »

Hi,

I just got turned away from there because they couldn't take my stuff. This is about the third time I have been turned away and noticed it's always on a Sunday. I asked the worker who turned me away what had changed to make this recent problem. His response was that the council no longer take the containers at weekends so when they get full that's it.

Now, how does this reconcile with the councils trying to encourage us to recycle? By making us make futile trips to the dump in our co2 emitting cars when we are turned away? If there's a weekend problem then close it in Sundays perhaps? The crap in the boot of my car can then wait until monday evening or similar. Excuse my 'red balloon' on this but if this guy is right then this current set up stinks.

Matt
Aardvaark
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat 31 Mar 2007 12:00 am

Re: Westmill recycle site

Post by Aardvaark »

I don't know if it has any bearing but a new company has taken over the management of the waste sites. The council are currently considering changes to opening hours etc to save money - from memory they are considering closing the Westmill site on two days, I think on Thursdays and Fridays and having it open from 8am to 6pm other days, with maybe a later closing on one day a week during the summer months. They say they will ensure that residents can use another site on the days the nearest one is closed - again from memory, I think Ware is "twinned" with Bishops Stortford. I know consultation papers are out and views being sought. I rarely use the Westmill (or any other) site but I have sent comments in to say that, when we do go, there is often a queue or it is closed whilst one or more of the containers are being changed or the containers are full and can't be used. I asked if servicing of the sites could be done outside of the hours proposed open to the public in view of the reduction in hours for public use.
Matt40
Posts: 266
Joined: Mon 12 Apr 2010 12:00 am
Location: Ware

Re: Westmill recycle site

Post by Matt40 »

Thanks for the info, it explains a lot. Are the council so out of touch that they think people will then go to bs or hoddesdon alternative recycle site when ours is closed? Absolutely ridiculous thinking. The whole idea is to encourage us to be more 'green', not making us drive more miles or encourage a minority of people to then fly tip. The current system now does not work. I have also, more recently, noticed that the queues can back up from the dump to the trading estate by the a10 roundabout, how safe is that? Not to mention more co2 emissions from engines running whilst stationery or stop/start. Rant over!
Scottman
Posts: 234
Joined: Tue 21 Apr 2009 12:00 am

Re: Westmill recycle site

Post by Scottman »

The current set up is in no way fit for purpose. As others have said, the Council needs to actively encourage responsible recycling and disposal of almost everything that comes into our possession. More and more people are using the site and it needs to be open more, not less, accept more refuse, and be helpful to people rather than discouraging the practice/encouraging illegal tipping.

The current site is simply too small, resulting in regular closures while full containers are removed, and the attendant traffic problems noted. More space is required up there, allowing the public to dispose stuff safely within the site and the containers to be taken away from outside that space. The Council should requisition more space from BIFFA as a planning gain while BIFFA extends its use of the site, so that a full materials transfer station can be implemented.

And, yes, it should be paid for from the fees levied (I hope) on the London waste constantly coming into the landfill next door. It would be good to get something from the noise, smell, traffic and general inconvenience of that blessed place.
Aardvaark
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat 31 Mar 2007 12:00 am

Re: Westmill recycle site

Post by Aardvaark »

I've just looked at the Hertfordshire County Council page - and my mistake, the new proposed hours are from 8am to 4pm, so I guess even less opportunity for most to go there. The relevant documentation is here https://consult.hertsdirect.org/hwrcconsultation2014
Matt40
Posts: 266
Joined: Mon 12 Apr 2010 12:00 am
Location: Ware

Re: Westmill recycle site

Post by Matt40 »

The council's proposals are just plain 'bonkers'. Thanks for the 'heads up' on this and I have put forward my views. Why hasn't the Mercury picked up on this yet?
Alec
Posts: 180
Joined: Fri 07 Nov 2003 12:00 am
Location: Ware

Re: Westmill recycle site

Post by Alec »

If savings have to be made, then it's a case of finding the times with the least impact.

Closing at 4pm on summer evenings, especially weekends would be particularly rubbish.

Early starts aren't too critical for me, other then perhaps on a Monday to allow disposal of rubbish from the weekend.

I'd be less bothered about losing a couple of weekdays.

Closing the other 2 sites - no impact to me, but plenty to those that live around them.

Generally, I think our site is great, with helpful staff. Yes I hate the times when I arrive just as they're about to juggle the bins, but it's relatively rare, so I just take it on the chin.
Matt40
Posts: 266
Joined: Mon 12 Apr 2010 12:00 am
Location: Ware

Re: Westmill recycle site

Post by Matt40 »

I'm quite interested in all your replies as I'm wondering whether the anger is proportionate to the issue here! It didn't help my day to see yet more flats being built in ware, replacing the astute electronics building in crib street from what I can see. This town is getting worse....
Alec
Posts: 180
Joined: Fri 07 Nov 2003 12:00 am
Location: Ware

Re: Westmill recycle site

Post by Alec »

Why, was I meant to be more furious?

Life's too short to respond like that to all the problems that life throws at us. I prefer to leave the outrage to the Daily Mail readers...

The worst I've experienced at the Westmill dump is full containers that make it a struggle to get garden waste in, or having to wait 15 mins while they swap over containers. Irritating, maybe, but hardly the worst problem in the world.

And, as for Ware, our town is fabulous! It continues to evolve, as it has though the years. And the growth in population we're seeing at the moment is nothing to what the town's seen over the last 100 years. Challenging, maybe, but it's still a great place to live.
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Steve
Posts: 475
Joined: Fri 08 Nov 2013 5:39 pm
Location: Hertford

Re: Westmill recycle site

Post by Steve »

Matt40 wrote:The council's proposals are just plain 'bonkers'. Thanks for the 'heads up' on this and I have put forward my views. Why hasn't the Mercury picked up on this yet?
They have. It was reported over three weeks ago.

http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/H ... 135427.htm
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