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Recycling staff abused

Saturday, 30 May 2020 09:21

By Daniel Clark, local democracy reporter, and Paul Nero

"Totally unacceptable" says councillor

A councillor has slammed members of the public who verbally abuse staff at Devon’s recycling centres.

Cllr Andrea Davis, cabinet member for infrastructure, development and waste,  and who represents Heanton Punchardon in North Devon, called the behaviour of a minority of people "appalling and totally unacceptable."

The recycling centres are now opened for essential use only, and social distancing means the number of vehicles allowed to enter is roughly a third to a half the usual capacity.

Staff cannot assist visitors with unloading, and security guards are stationed outside to protect staff, the public, and ensure the rules are followed.

Residents displaying coronavirus symptoms are asked not to visit the recycling centres, while only cars without trailers, with a maximum of two adults per vehicle, are permitted.

This week a cyclist visiting Exeter City Council's facility at Marsh Barton was turned away. He's complained that limiting entry to car users is unfair, as cyclists and pedestrians are just as able to keep to safe distancing guidelines and tend to have less waste to deliver. This hasn't washed with the authorities, who argue that staff are safer if visitors stay within their vehicles until they are within the compound.

To keep unloading times to a minimum, trailers, vans, pick-ups and commercial vehicles are also no allowed and any payments must be by credit/debit card.

Cllr Davis said: “The gate staff are there to protect staff and the public by ensuring that the ‘one-in, one-out’ policy is followed. Additionally they ensure that cars with trailers, vans or pickups do not use our sites. The vehicle restriction is a temporary measure to ensure queues are kept to a minimum. This will be reviewed once demand has dropped to more manageable levels.

“However a minority of the public have verbally abused our staff for doing their jobs and this kind of behaviour is appalling and totally unacceptable. Most of us are grateful and supportive of key workers, so let's be kind please."

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