The Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), in Flensburg Way, Farington Moss, is the busiest centre of its type in Lancashire.

It handles 18,000 tonnes of rubbish per year but when the site is closed so that the skips can be emptied or replaced it results in traffic backing up on to Flensburg Way and surrounding roads.

The problem was first highlighted in the Leyland Guardian in 2006 because queuing traffic is forcing other motorists to weave around them and increase the chances of an accident.

As a result the county council carried out a review of the problems and they've come up with a list of suggestions, which were discussed a meeting last week of Leyland's Lancashire Local, ahead of a more permanent solution being found.

The most eye-catching proposal is that web-based CCTV cameras be installed so that people can view the extent of the queuing traffic prior to visiting the site in order to avoid potential dangers.

The other three ideas are that:

• Skips are emptied at times when the site is licensed to operate but currently does not open to the public to reduce the number of times that the site gates are closed

• leaflets be distributed giving details of the alternate HWRC facilities within the area, to encourage people to use these other sites,

• queuing traffic signs on the approach roads to the facility, to warn motorists of possible dangers

.

The webcam idea has been welcomed by Farington parish and borough councillor, Mike Otter.

"It's quite a novel idea and anything that helps with the traffic situation is going to benefit residents in South Ribble," he said.
"It's heartening to see that we have so many people concerned about recycling."

The Lancashire County Council report said: "The review identified that, to adequately manage the traffic at the facility, the site layout needs to be redesigned to separate service wagons from visiting traffic.

"This will allow containers to be serviced without the need to close the site. Such a layout could not be achieved within the boundaries of the current site and, therefore, consideration should be given to extending the existing facility or finding a potential alternative site in the area.

"The review also identified that extending the existing facility is a possible option. However, a full review of suitable alternate sites is currently being undertaken and, should this be found to be the most suitable option, the land immediately adjacent to the site is designated as greenbelt within the South Ribble Local Plan.

"As such, obtaining planning consent with the support from South Ribble Locals will be crucial to the proposal."