POLICE have warned action could be taken against drivers if they cause a road hazard while queuing to get into Spalding tip.
In the past couple of weeks queues stretching back to the A16 from the West Marsh Road site have been reported several times.
The queues have been put down to a cut in the household waste recycling centre’s opening hours and a brief spell of improved weather, meaning more residents having garden waste to dispose of.
Several readers have contacted the Lincolnshire Free Press to complain about the situation, particularly regarding the danger the queues pose to other road users.
On Wednesday, Spalding police also received a couple of calls to say those waiting to use the recycling centre were blocking the road.
Sgt Stuart Hurst said: “We have been trying to deal with the traffic problem and keep the road clear while still allowing the public to use the recycling centre.
“The queues have been very long and the tailbacks have been causing a hazard to other road users.
“We sent officers down there a couple of times.
“Obviously, all these people want to do is dump their grass cuttings but it is encumbent on all drivers to behave sensibly and if they are causing a danger we will issue tickets if necessary.”
One tip user, James McGurk, of Holbeach, said he queued for more than an hour on Wednesday to get rid of his garden waste.
He said: “I usually use the Saturday morning skip service but I have been out doing the garden and the rubbish was building up, so I decided to bring it over to the recycling centre.
“Every time I’ve been to the tip before I have driven straight in.
“I couldn’t believe the queue as it stretched all the way back from West Marsh Road to the Morrisons roundabout.
“I saw the police drive by but they didn’t stop.
“They say drivers should be considerate to other road users but it is difficult to be considerate to an articulated lorry if it’s trying to get through.
“I will not be coming again in a hurry – I’ll let the rubbish build up and use the skip service.”
Lincolnshire County Council, which took the decision to cut opening hours to save money, has said it is monitoring the situation closely.