Frustration for residents as Barrhead recycling hub struggled to cope with demand

A long queue of vehicles could be seen waiting outside the civic dump in Carlibar Road on Monday morning as desperate residents tried to unload garbage that had piled up during the coronavirus crisis.

The gates had been closed for 10 weeks – and they ended up being quickly locked again as council staff feared it was impossible to maintain new social distancing measures.

One frustrated resident who was waiting to get into the recycling centre told the Barrhead News: “The guys working there said they couldn’t risk having too many people in at once, as it would have been too dangerous, so they were letting in just a few people at a time.

The queue to get into Barrhead Recycling Centre

“The queues were massive – there must have been at least 20 or more cars waiting when I was there. The staff would close the place when it was full and then reopen it again when things had cleared. One lady who was in front of me wasn’t too happy about it but the guys working there were doing a great job.”

East Renfrewshire Council is staging a phased open days of the Barrhead recycling hub to different wards this week, now the Scottish Government has started to relax lockdown rules.

Residents in Clarkston, Netherlee and Williamwood will be able to use the site today, with those in Newton Mearns and Eaglesham able to visit the site on Friday.

Council chiefs are urging residents to only make a trip to the tip if it is “absolutely necessary.”

A spokesperson told the Barrhead News: “As anticipated on the first day of reopening, there were some issues with queuing traffic. In situations like this we will temporarily close the site to allow traffic to clear and ensure the safety of the public, as well as our staff.

“The Barrhead site reopened and is operating well.

“We would remind residents to be patient.”

For more information about the area’s recycling hubs, including opening hours, visit here.