TEMPERS boiled over, as protestors moved to stop drivers recycling their rubbish.

Police had to order protesting local businesses to move lorries blocking access to the Cheney Manor Recycling Centre early yesterday.

Neighbouring businesses, High-worth Breakers and Fords Only, moved in with lorries at about 8.45am in protest about constant traffic queues.

Police forced the lorries to shift at about 9.20am and the long queue of traffic finally began to move again.

The companies say that the heavy traffic into the recycling centre damages business.

But Swindon Commercial Services, which runs the site, said that it has already made changes to reduce traffic and it only occurs seasonally.

The businesses, which are located close to the recycling centre, say their customers cannot reach them because of queues on the road.

The protestors, police and Swindon Commercial Services held a meeting after the standoff, but no solution was found.

Mark Iles, of Fords Only scrapyard, and Stuart Morse, of Highworth Breakers, say that the traffic has been busy for the past two weeks.

"On Wednesday I was stuck trying to get into the industrial estate," said Mr Morse.

"It is no good for our business as customers who have booked in cannot reach us.

"Some customers say they will take their business elsewhere.

"We will be back protesting next week or in April."

Mr Iles said that the companies have asked for financial compensation to make up for lost business, which has been refused.

"The protest is a way of saying enough is enough," said Mr Iles.

"We have asked for a quarter off our rent and suggested they put in electronic signs well before the site advising if it is closed, but they won't."

Bill Fisher, who heads up Swindon Commercial Services, said that the traffic is only a problem at Christmas and Easter.

He urged visitors to avoid peak times between 11am and 2.30pm and reminds residents that it is open to 9.30pm.

He says that he has already made changes to cut traffic build-up.

"I do feel in the last 18 months I've done everything I can to accommodate the businesses," he said.

"I have a lot of sympathy for them.

"I'm trying to work with them and always have done. We shook hands today but I don't agree with their methods of protest."

Swindon Commercial Services has introduced roundabouts and increased opening hours.

It has also started an online traffic checking system where visitors can look for queues before them come.

They can also text the council to find out about queue length.

To use the messaging service text the words sbc recycle' to 88833.