Footage has been uploaded to a video-sharing site of a dump queue shunt on the road leading to the Letchworth household refuse site at the centre of safety fears.

The recycling centre on Blackhorse Road has been dogged by long queues of frustrated drivers since its opening hours were cut – with fears raised over safety given further weight when a two-car collision on Saturday was posted on YouTube.

Michael Stoddard, managing director of Blackhorse Road-based Stoddard Manufacturing, said: “I raised safety concerns last week and I can well believe film of an accident is on YouTube.

“I’m not surprised at all because I have seen two car crashes myself. One was a three-car-shunt and the other saw a two-car-shunt.

“The situation is simply not acceptable. No-one wants to see any bad accidents, but it can only be a matter of time until something serious does happen, either through dangerous driving, a lack of concentration, or speeding through frustration caused by the delays.

“Council representatives were actually here when one of the crashes occurred.

“Mark Simpkins, who is waste manager for Herts County Council, was with me monitoring the traffic when the three-car-shunt occurred. He just looked at me and said: ‘Yes, I saw it.’

“The council needs to relocate to the derelict site on Icknield Way as the Blackhorse Road is not fit for purpose.”

Councillor Lorna Kercher, who represents Letchworth East, added: “I’m extremely concerned about safety issues on Blackhorse Road.

“I’ve been told there have been cars racing alongside stationary traffic at 60mph – which is very dangerous for drivers who may open their doors when stationary for a long time.

“I’m also worried for the staff who work in the businesses along Blackhorse Road. The situation is not satisfactory.”

A spokesman for Herts County Council said: “It has been very busy, especially at weekends, which has resulted in queues.

“We ask users to maintain caution when queuing.”