Recycling centres staff 'verbally abused' as tempers flare over long queues

The three sites in Wakefield, Glass Houghton and South Kirkby opened on Monday after weeks of lockdown.

With long queues being reported, the delays have led a number of heated exchanges.

Councillor Maureen Cummings, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for the environment, took to Facebook to express her disappointment.

She said: "The public on the whole were patient and waited in line to be guided through the facilities.

"However, there were some visitors who thought it was right to verbally abuse the workers, this cannot be right.

"The reasons for the closure of the sites was quite clearly a decision that was taken due to the current pandemic not a decision these workers made.

"Please, if visiting the waste sites be patient there will be a wait and the workers are there to help and guide you, they are not there for people to verbally abuse."

Wakefield Council says it has put traffic management in place on the main roads that access the three sites to try and minimise the impact of queues.

Anyone bringing waste to the site must bring their permit or proof of address with them. No cars can be allowed access on to the site without this.