LONG queues at a recycling centre could soon be a thing of the past after plans were submitted to more than double its capacity.

Cars backed up through the Cheney Manor Industrial Estate are a regular sight as people seek to dispose of waste at the Household Waste Recycling Centre, but Swindon Council is taking action.

Plans have been submitted to expand the Waterside site, which would see the total number of vehicles able to gain access at any one time from 40 to 100.

This will be achieved by completely altering how cars move around the site.

While there will not be a huge difference where rubbish is taken, the full location will be made bigger if the application is successful. The full cost of the move has not been disclosed while a tender process is taking place.

Coun Brian Ford (Con, Wroughton and Wichelstowe), the cabinet member responsible for waste, said: “We provide a great service at the HWRC but Swindon’s continued expansion is placing more pressure on our resources, including at this site.

“The plans we have submitted will ensure we can accommodate more vehicles and significantly improve the way the site operates.”

Even if the application is approved it is anticipated the work will not start until August, with a March 2016 completion date, so temporary measures are being introduced to reduce the impact of flood mitigation work in the area, especially during peak spring and summer times.

From April 1 the centre will open two hours earlier at 6am and stay open until 8pm.

Additional traffic marshals will keep traffic flowing on the site and all but essential staff parking will be moved off site to reduce queues at the HWRC. A ban on commercial waste will also be introduced over the Easter period to give residents priority for disposing of waste.

A new webcam has also been put in so people can see if the centre is busy before setting off.

Coun Ford said: “Unfortunately, these proposals cannot be implemented immediately, which is why we have been working hard to ensure measures are in place to help users of the site over the coming months.

“For the longer term, we are also looking at options for a second site in the borough for a HWRC, but clearly this will require careful consideration.

“We are approaching the busiest time of year for the HWRC and, with the essential flood mitigation work taking place in the area, I would urge anyone who needs to visit the recycling centre to plan their visits in advance, allow extra time and to consider making use of the extended hours at the site.”

Information about the Household Waste Recycling Centre, links to the webcams and the locations of borough’s Local Recycling Points can be found at www.swindon.gov.uk/hwrc.