You said, we did - Bath Recycling Centre consultation and responses

We consulted the community about our plans to redevelop Bath Recycling Centre during the planning and consultation process. Use this page to learn about what you said and how we have responded. You can find out more about the planning and consultation process on the Bath recycling centre public engagement website.

Managing traffic queues 

You said you were worried that traffic will queue outside the site.

We will use a booking system to help manage traffic flows. We have monitored visitors to Midland Road and found that only 10% of users arrived without a booking. The booking system can be changed so that only a defined number of vehicles will enter the traffic flows at different times of the day.

Midland Road recycling centre is a very constrained site and sometimes users have to be held back while an HGV collects a full skip. This will not happen at the Locksbrook Rd site because the operational vehicles use a separate entrance.

The booking system has a maximum number of 14 bookings per 15 minute time slot and there is room for 16 vehicles within the site. The average time spent unloading is less than 10 minutes so queuing is not at all likely.

We will fund an additional member of staff at the gate who will enforce the booking system and also help customers with mobility issues or heavy items.

Managing odours and pests 

You said you were concerned about potential odours and pests.

We have carried out an Air Quality and Odour Assessment which shows that impact of odour from the site will be insignificant.

There will be no waste processing at the site and there is no dedicated food waste collection facility. No refuse trucks will be stored at the site. We can use skip covers to reduce odours and the risk of vermin. The skips will be changed frequently so that waste will not be stored on the site for long.

Managing noise 

You said you were concerned about potential noise.

The layout has been designed so that the operational area is furthest from the existing residential properties. The EA permitting system will require a detailed description of all the mitigations relating to environmental factors. The noise assessment has acknowledged that noise will increase from the site but that this will be during the working day when noise levels in the area are already higher. We have identified a number of measures to manage noise, such as installing noise barriers and using skips with plastic wheels.

Monitoring air quality 

You said you were worried about deteriorating air quality around the recycling centre.

The Air Quality and Odour Assessment Report states the impact of traffic from the site on pollution levels will be negligible. We measure concentrations of nitrogen dioxide at several locations along Upper Bristol Road and one location on Newbridge Road, these can be viewed at our nitrogen-dioxide monitoring data page.

Gantry access to waste containers 

You said you were concerned about carrying recyclables up the steps or slope to get them into the skips.

The proposed gantry arrangement is commonly used in similar facilities across the country. We have visited other sites with similar arrangements to help inform the design of the new recycling centre.

Ramped access is intended to ease access to the containers for people with mobility challenges. Additional support will be provided by site staff to customers who use wheelchairs, or those who have heavy items. The new recycling centre will have drop-off parking bays for 16 cars, including dedicated disabled parking located close to the bottom of the ramp.

Managing the risk of flooding 

You asked how we will ensure flooding does not lead to contamination of the river.

We are planning appropriate measures to deal with the risks posed by flooding and we are working with consultants to ensure the Environment Agency and Local Flood Authority requirements are met.

The layout and operations of the centre has been designed with careful consideration of the nearby river Avon. The new recycling centre will not process waste. It will primarily be taking recycling in collection skips. In the event of a flood warning we plan to close the site to the public and move the containers off site to our Keynsham recycling hub.

The Environment Agency permit requires the production of a flood evacuation plan and a flood management plan for the new scheme (one already exists for the existing Cleansing operations on site). The recycling centre scheme has been designed with metal gantries and movable collection containers to the east of the site rather than permanent structures.

Improved access for pedestrians and cyclists 

You said you wanted to see better cycling and walking access to the site.

We have widened the footpath into the site from Locksbrook Road and added a zebra crossing within the site. We have also included additional cargo bike parking in the plans, in response to feedback during the public consultation.