Drivers have vented their anger after sitting in long queues for a Letchworth tip which some feel is ‘an accident waiting to happen’.

Confusion reigned among those driving along Blackhorse Road towards the end of last week, as cars lined up to get into the Household Waste Recycling Centre, forcing many to attempt a long overtake on the wrong side of the road to get past.

Deborah Price, who lives in Letchworth and queued for almost an hour to visit the tip on Friday, said: “While I was queueing there were people driving on the wrong side of the road to get past.

“There was nearly a collision and it is a matter of time before there is an accident.

“People need to get down the road for work, so something has to be done.

“Someone had also thrown their rubbish at the side of the road due to the wait, so it will increase fly-tipping.”

Herts County Council, which manages the site, decided to alter the opening hours of tips in the area from the start of the year, meaning the Letchworth facility is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the Stevenage site is shut on Thursdays and Fridays.

Steve Weston, who lives in Baldock, said: “There were 500-metre queues along Blackhorse Road for most of the Easter week.

“Cars pumping out fumes and hundreds of people waiting for an hour and being turned away.

“This is unacceptable for ratepayers.

“Closing the tip for two days a week means that everyone goes on the same days, and you get people from Stevenage coming as well because that tip is closed when Letchworth’s opens.

“The terrible management of the parking bays means that bays remain empty while people queue.”

A county council spokesman said: “All of the Household Waste Recycling Centres across the county were very busy over the weekend and last week, which resulted in queues at a few of the sites.

“A few bays were temporarily closed to swap over some of the containers which were full and we are sorry for any inconvenience this caused motorists using Blackhorse Road.

“Spring is always a very busy period for the centres – especially in the Easter break and if the weather is good which was last week.

“The county council will continue to monitor the site usage and ensure a good service is delivered to residents.”

Many took to social media to vent their frustration on Thursday of last week, with Twitter user, @stagetechuk, even uploading a video to YouTube of himself driving past 58 cars in the queue.

Alison Basford tweeted: “Life is too short to wait an hour for the recycling centre in Letchworth. Sort it.”

Twitter user @plemored said: “Huge queue for Letchworth recycling. Traffic accident only a matter of time. Appalling management.”