RESIDENTS fear Newquay’s household waste and recycling centre is becoming too dangerous due to the length of its queues.

More than 50 cars are regularly at a standstill outside the facility in Trevenson Road, which has resulted in many motorists attempting to overtake causing several near misses with oncoming traffic.

The situation has been exasperated at this time of the year as many households have been doing a spring clean and attempt to get rid of their rubbish and recycling on a sunny day.

Newquay Inspector Guy Blackford is due to stage a meeting with Cornwall Council to see if there are any measures the unitary authority could introduce to alleviate the traffic issues after receiving complaints about the situation.

Cornwall Council states it is in talks with the site operator SUEZ to review options to alleviate the traffic queue pressure.

Some motorists have had to wait for more than half an hour in the queue to enter the waste and recycling centre, which is due to be relocated to the Newquay Strategic Route opposite Hendra Holiday Park as early as 2025.

Resident Sharron Foster said: “I think if it’s a concern now, and not dealt with soon then this will escalate. Why wait for an accident or death before anything gets sorted?

“Why don’t the council sort the road to the tip now? Widen the road to make it safer and accessible to all road users.”

Another resident added: “I do think it is becoming dangerous and a nightmare for parents picking up from school and for others living in the area.

“I am sure many see the queue and turn away, otherwise the line would spill out onto Henver Road on a sunny spring day. I imagine Cornwall Council will soon be looking for an out of town alternative recycling centre, with all the new homes and cars, it simply won’t cope.”

Insp Blackford said: “As soon as we have met with the providers, we can provide an update to see what can be done to reduce the traffic issues.”

Cornwall councillor John Fitter said: “We regret the queues but there is no easy solution.

“One solution that will solve it is when we can get on and open the new waste and recycling centre.

“It has been in the planning stage for years.”

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “All our household waste recycling centre (HRRC) sites across Cornwall have seen an increase in visitors recently coinciding with the sunnier weather and bank holiday weekends. 

“Through our website and social media, we have recommended that residents visit HWRCs during our quieter midweek days or during our quieter hours (9-10am and 3-4pm) if they can.  

“For Newquay HWRC we are also working with our site operator SUEZ to review options to alleviate pressure on site and the associated traffic queues. We are also developing a plan with the Duchy of Cornwall for a new HWRC at Nansledan subject to planning permission.”