Popular recycling depot is causing traffic jam hotspot, Bromley chiefs say

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

Bromley residents are facing ‘absolute hell’ as drivers queue for a local recycling centre, a councillor has claimed.

Waldo Road reuse and recycling centre in Bromley will see works carried out on it to improve accessibility, with claims that traffic in the area has worsened as a result of residents using the site.

The topic was discussed at a Bromley council meeting on Monday. Lib Dem Councillor Julie Ireland raised the issue of cars queueing near the centre and asked how the council planned to manage the problem.

Cllr Ireland said in her written question: “Residents who live near Waldo Road waste and recycling centre continue to suffer long queues of traffic blocking their streets as residents queue for the centre. Acknowledging there are peaks in summer and during good gardening weather, but this is a long term issue which is not improving.”

Conservative councillor Will Rowlands, portfolio holder for environment, said at the meeting that the council had a number of measures in place to alleviate the stress.

Cllr Rowlands said: “To alleviate traffic congestion and promote changes in driving behaviour, from March 2023 moving traffic violations have been enforced by the introduction of CCTV to monitor the yellow box junction situated within Holmesdale Road at the junction of Waldo Road. Vehicles queuing into Waldo Road reuse and recycle centre may be subjected to a penalty charge notice if this is ignored, which acts as a deterrent.”

Cllr Ireland responded by saying she was grateful for Cllr Rowlands response and the work being done by officers. However, she felt many of the authority’s provisions were not effective enough to combat the issue.

The Lib Dem councillor said: “Have we got a plan B because all of these things simply are not working. It is absolute hell down Homesdale Road on weekend days. Residents cut through, so is there any kind of plan B that is being formulated for residents who live near Waldo Road?”

The portfolio holder responded by stating works would be carried out on the Waldo Road centre to improve accessibility, followed by similar works taking place at the neighbouring Churchfields Road reuse and recycling centre. He said a booking system would be in place for both sites while the works were taking place, but could not confirm whether the system would stay in place once the works were completed.

Cllr Rowlands said: “I would like to, before I say anything more permanent, actually see how it works and then we make a decision once we’ve got the works done, once we’ve got the new site up and running.”

Pictured top: Homesdale Road junction with Waldo Road (Picture: Google Street View)