Traffic enforcement officers issue fines at Sheffield tip to stop drivers queuing in the road

This morning, the officers were on duty at the Blackstock Road tip in Gleadless Valley issuing £70 on the spot fines to drivers who refused to move on.

The issue has come to a head during the coronavirus lockdown as residents take the opportunity of being stuck at home to undertake DIY or garden clear-outs.

However, more people using the sites at Blackstock Road, Shirecliffe and High Green has led to long queues and warnings that waiting traffic could cause a serious accident.

When The Star ran a story earlier this month on issues at Blackstock Road, hundreds of readers contacted us on our Facebook page to complain about the worsening situation.

Anna Williams said: “Long queues at tips, bins overflowing in parks, recycling bins overflowing in supermarket car parks, lots of litter and fly tipping. Maybe the council should be making it easier for people to responsibly get rid of their waste.”

Crofts Macy Syl said: “On Monday and Tuesday cars were queuing on Blackstock Road right up to the bend in the road. It’s an accident waiting to happen there.”

Simon Turner said: “Simple - get an online booking system end of story. They have these at other places like Leeds and Nottingham. So much easier and no queues!”

And Andy Ogilwy said: “This is why there is so much fly tipping!”

Earlier this month, Sheffield Council put the lengthy waits down to a combination of increased usage and the impact of measures put in place to ensure social distancing and protect staff.

They asked that residents with significant volumes of household or garden waste to consider contacting a registered skip hire company or using the council’s garden waste and bulky waste collection services.

But they made clear that physical threats or verbal abuse against site staff would not be tolerated and could lead to the sites being closed.

Veolia, the council’s waste and recycling contractor, tweets estimated waiting times for the tips throughout the day via its @Recycle4Shef account.

For more information about Sheffield’s tips, including opening times, visit www.veolia.co.uk/sheffield/HWRC.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.