DOZENS of cars formed a queued stretching 100 yards early this morning to get into Winchester’s recycling centre as it reopened for the first time since lockdown began.

The Household Waste Recycling Centre at Bar End opened at 10am today (Monday) for the first time in seven weeks, with residents eager to dispose of their accumulated rubbish.

A number of safety measures have been put in place with only a maximum of six vehicles allowed in at one time, and social distancing in place.

First person to take advantage of the centre re-opening was Bob Jordan, of Compton Down, arriving at 8am before the gates opened, with around 30 cars forming a queue behind him.

Mr Jordan said: “I went at eight o’clock in the morning, I thought it was worthwhile as we have accumulated something like 20 bags of waste that we haven’t been able to put in the bins. I was getting quite irritated by it.”

The 72-year-old praised council staff for their organisation and the measures that have been put in place.

“We were called in on due time as they [other people] finished one by one they filled the spaces up again. They were just letting six cars in at one time – it hit the right notes.”

Mr Jordan said he decided to go along to the tip early as he “didn’t want to be at the back of the queue”.

But he believes the recycling centres should have been opened on an earlier date, saying: “It wasn’t a particularly complex job, I think they needed to move a bit faster but they certainly pulled it out in the end and they got it done.”

Also queuing this morning to get rid of his rubbish was John Jones, from Andover Road, Winchester.

He said: “I expected a queue. Like most people here we haven't got much else to do at the moment."

Hampshire County Council have asked people to be patient when using the centres.

Cllr Rob Humby, executive member for economy, transport and environment, said: “Rather like supermarkets, social distancing measures will apply, limiting the number of people allowed in at any one time and operating reduced opening hours so the sites can be thoroughly cleaned each day.”

The council has also said that it will not be enforcing number plate recognition provisions during this period as it previously asked residents to register their number plate online, with non-Hampshire residents wanting to use the county’s recycling centres charged £5.