Cycling to a recycling centre

hemo
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Joined: 16 Nov 2017, 5:40pm
Location: West Sussex

Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by hemo »

Yep, anyone who gets refusal from a RC, use the contact us email on the RC website of your county and fire off those mails stating a few points. I used green transport as the future, and that one isn't a pedestrian riding a four wheel mode of transport albeit a bicycle or ebike towing a trailer. I also originally pointed out in my mail (taking a leaf from this thread) that we are all pedestrians once out of a vehicle so elf & safety is not an excuse, also I pointed out that there is a 5mph signage on site so no reason why a cycle/trailer should be excluded. I kept it o the point and polite and as can see, I received a very good reply which tbh I thought I wouldn't as I have previously been told no by staff.
This will change now as one expects RC's in West Sx will all receive a policy update, just ride carefully and bee seen. I shall wear a high vis Gillet and make sure my cycle lights are on in flash mode.

My particular site it multimillion pound purpose built one and has various bins/containers at ground level for a lot of other incidental other type of recycling items, also an up ramp for driving up to parking bays for main recycling of paper, metal, household and garden stuff where om tips there stuff over parapet style wall in to the bays below. This in a huge covered warehouse type building. I can't see they will want to carry my bags of garden rubbish to empty as the yard has tractors and hgv's manouvering so I expect to be allowed to ride up the ramp to the spacious unloading area.
hemo
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Location: West Sussex

Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by hemo »

Probably a bit soon to expect a website update regarding cycle access but something I noticed it said regarding car access is this; For H&S reasons trailers are banned at Bognor, Horsham and L/hampton RC's. Any one using/visiting one of these sites by cycIe/trailer combo I would contact Gill Hughes as I have done for clarification and the email response to keep on your phone for any red tape official for proof of access.
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gaz
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Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by gaz »

Following a general review of HWRC practice in September 2021, particularly booking systems introduced in response to Covid, Kent County Council promised to revisit the no walk/no cycle policy at its HWRC sites. No change on the public facing information to date but enquries indicated that they would allow foot or cycle access by appointment.

I decided to try this out and about 10 days ago and I received an email to say everything was OK and to expect a booking email. This actually arrived first, and to all intents and purposes was a standard booking with "Bike" as the registration.

Today I arrived at the gate, booking confirmation and associated emails to hand and a trailer load of small electricals I'd been saving up for a while. All went well, I was clearly expected and was told to proceed.

As I entered the facility building things changed. There I was told that I should not have been given permission to cycle into the site and would not be allowed to do so again. I made it clear that KCC had made my booking with the clear knowledge that I was arriving by cycle. I was escorted to the relevant bins and allowed to deposit my waste. The exchange was well mannered and I feel sure my arrival by cycle had been expected. It was also quite unequivocal, KCC policy is no cycles and the site supervisors do not make exceptions.

The waters were muddied somewhat more just before my departure when another member of the team approached and seemed to be suggesting that the problem had been at the gate, where staff should have directed me elsewhere on the site.

I've emailed the waste management team to give feedback and seek clarification. I'll be reluctant to repeat the experience without a change to the formal policy, asking nicely didn't work well.
High on a cocktail of flossy teacakes and marmalade
Jdsk
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Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by Jdsk »

Thanks.

You've probably made it easier for the next person who tries.

Jonathan
Carlton green
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Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by Carlton green »

gaz wrote: 27 Jan 2023, 6:31pm Following a general review of HWRC practice in September 2021, particularly booking systems introduced in response to Covid, Kent County Council promised to revisit the no walk/no cycle policy at its HWRC sites. No change on the public facing information to date but enquries indicated that they would allow foot or cycle access by appointment.

I decided to try this out and about 10 days ago and I received an email to say everything was OK and to expect a booking email. This actually arrived first, and to all intents and purposes was a standard booking with "Bike" as the registration.

Today I arrived at the gate, booking confirmation and associated emails to hand and a trailer load of small electricals I'd been saving up for a while. All went well, I was clearly expected and was told to proceed.

As I entered the facility building things changed. There I was told that I should not have been given permission to cycle into the site and would not be allowed to do so again. I made it clear that KCC had made my booking with the clear knowledge that I was arriving by cycle. I was escorted to the relevant bins and allowed to deposit my waste. The exchange was well mannered and I feel sure my arrival by cycle had been expected. It was also quite unequivocal, KCC policy is no cycles and the site supervisors do not make exceptions.

The waters were muddied somewhat more just before my departure when another member of the team approached and seemed to be suggesting that the problem had been at the gate, where staff should have directed me elsewhere on the site.

I've emailed the waste management team to give feedback and seek clarification. I'll be reluctant to repeat the experience without a change to the formal policy, asking nicely didn't work well.
Jdsk wrote: 27 Jan 2023, 6:33pm Thanks.

You've probably made it easier for the next person who tries.

Jonathan
Well done and plus one in agreement with JDSK.
Don’t fret, it’s OK to: ride a simple old bike; ride slowly, walk, rest and admire the view; ride off-road; ride in your raincoat; ride by yourself; ride in the dark; and ride one hundred yards or one hundred miles. Your bike and your choices to suit you.
Stradageek
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Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by Stradageek »

I have a trip planned on Monday (Northampton Ecton Lane Tip), after my previous experience (having to book but no-one at the site knowing anything about it) I plan to rock up and try my luck, let's see what happens :roll:
Nearholmer
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Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by Nearholmer »

I just secured a reservation for the local tip nearest me in MK, using vehicle registration number “MY BIKE”, so try that for yours!

0BC3EBD9-4E7F-4867-A5BF-44A748373D8D.jpeg
I will now cancel, since I have no real need of the booking.
MikeF
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Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by MikeF »

mjr wrote: 6 Jan 2022, 12:24pm Ok, I'll try to start a list for England and update it as we get reports. If it is enough of a mess, maybe gov.uk environment department can be prodded into action:.................

Cycle-recycling in England:


West Sussex County Council - now freely accessible by bike (see viewtopic.php?p=1686685#p1686685 )
........................
Not according to WSCC website https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/land-wast ... ng-centre/
After all West Sussex must be well to the top of the list of anti-cycling councils and have been fined for such.
"It takes a genius to spot the obvious" - my old physics master.
I don't peddle bikes.
Stradageek
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Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by Stradageek »

Stradageek wrote: 28 Jan 2023, 12:34pm I have a trip planned on Monday (Northampton Ecton Lane Tip), after my previous experience (having to book but no-one at the site knowing anything about it) I plan to rock up and try my luck, let's see what happens :roll:
Checked the website before departing, it said no pedestrians but nothing about cyclists, so I just turned up with trailer in tow and parked in the car lane/parking.

No one batted an eyelid and the staff helpfully directed me to the relevant bins (sheet glass goes in the metal bin - who knew :? )

I call this a result :D
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gaz
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Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by gaz »

gaz wrote: 27 Jan 2023, 6:31pmI've emailed the waste management team to give feedback and seek clarification.
I've had a reply.
I can confirm that you will be able to visit site on your bike by prior arrangement via the [KCC waste management] mailbox.

We apologise for the inconvenience on this occasion and look forward to you contacting us again.
:)
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squeaker
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Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by squeaker »

MikeF wrote: 29 Jan 2023, 12:45pm
mjr wrote: 6 Jan 2022, 12:24pm Ok, I'll try to start a list for England and update it as we get reports. If it is enough of a mess, maybe gov.uk environment department can be prodded into action:.................

Cycle-recycling in England:


West Sussex County Council - now freely accessible by bike (see viewtopic.php?p=1686685#p1686685 )
........................
Not according to WSCC website https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/land-wast ... ng-centre/
After all West Sussex must be well to the top of the list of anti-cycling councils and have been fined for such.
Looks to be site dependent:
Shoreham-by-Sea and Worthing
Cyclist access
Bicycles are not to be ridden at the centre - cyclists must dismount and enter as a pedestrian.
but Horsham follows Crawley. Not checked any others...
"42"
hemo
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Joined: 16 Nov 2017, 5:40pm
Location: West Sussex

Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by hemo »

As yet I haven't put the Crawley R.C to the test with an actual visit or e-bike booking, though I am armed still with the email reply saying I can do so . When the short sleeves wether arrives I shall have to hitch the CF to the ute and trundle off with some green waste an put them to the test. On entering the Crawley site their is ample room for them to cone off a lane for cycles and trailers to use as after all the site has a 5mph limit so it's not a race track.

The use of H& is a ploy and nonsense , they all should where applicable have a green transport policy for those with cycles and trailers to gain access.
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Shoogle
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Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by Shoogle »

I've been cycling to the dump here in Glasgow for years. Nobody bats an eyelid, even when I cycled in with a Hoover on the rear rack.
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Vorpal
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Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by Vorpal »

Essex CC makes U-turn on “discriminatory” ban on cyclists at recycling centres. Not about the one I used to use, but hopefully this will be applied across the board.

https://road.cc/content/news/council-u- ... res-299051
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diapason
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Re: Cycling to a recycling centre

Post by diapason »

Here, in Somerset, I've taken loads of rubbish to the tip with my bike and trailer several times. I usually get amazed comments, but never a refusal.
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