No queues this time as waste sites reopen to the public
VEHICLES trickled in for the reopening of the Chouet green waste site and household waste and recycling centre at Longue Hougue.
It was in stark contrast to the easing of lockdown last April, when queues extended from Chouet to L’Ancresse Road, with long queues at Longue Hougue.
‘We are surprised there is no queue,’ said Gunner Queripel, a customer at the green waste site.
‘Last time we did come here but after queuing in traffic half-way down the road we turned around. There’s always things to get rid of – we have three big bags to drop off.’
Brian Barnes disposed of a boot-full of household items at Longue Hougue before dropping off his two grandchildren.
Wes Williams said: ‘I expected it to be busy. I just have rubbish basically, we’ve been cleaning out the garage and this is my second trip. Last time I queued at Chouet from all the way by the main road.’
The sites have opened with rules on contactless payments only, social distancing and mask-wearing, unless exempt.
Site staff were managing traffic flow, ensuring masks were being worn and managing the number of people on site at once.
Drop-off bays allowed islanders to unload their vehicles – staff cannot help with that.
Guernsey Waste operations manager Sarah Robinson said these measures were introduced to protect staff and users.
Queues were expected with only five members of the public permitted at the HWRC at once, she had warned, with similar restrictions at Chouet. She also urged people to use the sites only if absolutely necessary.
Site users must come alone, wherever possible, unless other household members are needed to unload vehicles.
They must follow staff directions, otherwise the facilities might have to close.
Mont Cuet and the Longue Hougue land reclamation site are open to commercial companies in normal hours.
Because the Salvation Army clothing banks are shut, textiles are not being accepted for now.
Bring bank sites remain closed as per Public Health guidance, with islanders asked to use kerbside collections.
At 3.55pm there were no cars waiting to use either of the sites, which close at 4pm. In total, 181 vehicles had used the green waste site and 241 the HWRC.
The latter total is similar to a normal Sunday morning.
. Visit gov.gg/hwrc for a layout map to help vehicle unloading.
