Residents are concerned that massive queues outside a West Bridgford recycling centre is 'an accident waiting to happen' near a local primary school as up to 30 cars arrive at a time.
Nottinghamshire County Council has now sent out a warning to motorists over 'poor driving' and said measures will be taken if things don't improve.
The Recyling Centre in Rugby Road has been extremely busy since it reopened its doors.
Residents are worried about long queues and some cars "dangerously" trying to drive down the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic.
Father-of-two Alan Perks, 49, who lives in Dorset Gardens, which is next to the site, said he has written to the council outlining his concerns.
He said: "There are kids walking to school and families walking to school; if someone runs across the road they are dead.
"We were talking six or seven cars before Covid-19 and now we are getting 20 to 30 cars at its worst. It is blocked both ways.
"It's just a complete accident waiting to happen.
"The council have said to me 'they know it is wrong but there is nothing we can do about it.' Why can't they do appointments only?
"People who don't want to go to the tip are also sat in that queue."
Another resident in the area, who did not wish to be named, added: "Local residents of West Bridgford are having real problems now the measures have been lifted around the Recycling Centre.
"The traffic is queueing back down Rugby Road and some cars are dangerously trying to drive down the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic.
"All of this outside Greythorn Drive Primary School. Something needs to be done before there is a serious accident."
Nottinghamshire Council Council said it is aware of the issues and are urging people using the West Bridgford Recycling Centre to consider "the safety and welfare of local children and other road users."
The local authority said numerous issues have been reported this week, WITH people forming lengthy queues to access the site and drivers caught in the traffic driving dangerously to jump the queues.
County Councillor Phil Rostance, vice chair of the communities and place committee at the council, said: "The county council is committed to resuming all our services where it is safe to do so and one of the first of those services to return were our Recycling Centres.
"We know residents value these sites and were pleased we could reopen, as many people had a backlog of waste. However, the poor driving being seen in some locations is simply unacceptable.
"At West Bridgford in particular, this is causing major congestion issues, impacting on the air quality around the site, and creating significant traffic conflict and danger.
"Unfortunately, the West Bridgford Recycling Centre is a small site, located in a busy residential area and opposite Greythorn Primary School.
"We are unable to change the site or road layout to ease congestion, so the only way the site can operate safely is if visitors to the site and residents act responsibly and consider the health and wellbeing of those living, working and being educated in the area when visiting.
"I would encourage people to only visit the site if absolutely necessary, and if they do see a queue to return at another time when the site is quieter rather than adding to the congestion on Rugby Road."
"Sadly, if people can’t behave responsibly, we will have to consider other ways of managing the demand, including potentially restricting the Centre’s opening times and reducing public access.
"So, I would urge people to act responsibly to improve the situation here, as ensuring everyone’s safety must remain our main priority."
