City of York Council is committed to minimising waste and maximising material recycled at the council’s Household Waste Recycling Centre sites (HWRC).
A range of options is under review to address growing traffic congestion around the Hazel Court HWRC, following concerns raised by residents, businesses, and service operators.
The Hazel Court HWRC, located near James Street, has seen a significant increase in traffic in recent years, leading to safety concerns for road users and pedestrians, and disruption to nearby businesses and council operations.
While the site can accommodate current total demand, peak-time queues are causing wider congestion problems on the city’s roads.
The council’s Place Scrutiny Committee will consider several short- to medium-term options aimed at improving traffic flow and ensuring safe, efficient access to recycling services
A Collaborative Approach
The council has engaged with local businesses and residents to understand the impact of congestion and gather feedback.
Dave Atkinson, Director of Environmental and Regulatory Services, commented:
"We’re committed to finding a balanced solution that supports residents, businesses, and our environmental goals. This review is about exploring practical options to improve safety and access while maintaining high-quality recycling services."
In the longer term, options for the future provision of HWRC services in York are being explored. This would likely be the identification of a site that would better serve York’s growing population and facilitate new changes in national waste policy and legislation. This will be the subject of a future report.
The Place Scrutiny Committee will meet on 23 September 2025 to discuss the options and provide recommendations. A further report will then be taken to Executive for approval in October.