HWRC parking changes

Parking at Kettering, Rushden and Wellingborough Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) will be changing from October 2025.

Two rows of parallel parking will be implemented at each site. Corby has successfully used this system for some time.

The new layouts will make parking easier and safer with more vehicles able to park and unload at once. Extra staff will be on site to guide drivers.

Review

 As part of our recent procurement for someone to operate our HWRCs, prospective operators were asked to make recommendations on how to improve the safety and flow of users at HWRCs.

All bidders operated similar services across the UK, and we wanted to learn from those experiences elsewhere to get the best for our residents as we regularly review operational arrangements at the sites so we can improve:

• efficiency
• safety
• customer experience

Any proposals that relate to service levels (e.g., opening days, major changes to accepted materials, etc.) will be subject to public consultation and appropriate scrutiny and approval by councillors.

Benefits

This change will:

• improve health and safety for users and personnel
• improve the flow of traffic
• reduce waiting times

The number of vehicles reversing (when they are likely to have their rear view obscured) will be reduced.

At Kettering and Rushden, vehicles often reverse into spaces, with only a low-level kerb and plastic bollards as a physical barrier. At Wellingborough, vehicles drive forward into parking spaces and must reverse out into oncoming traffic to exit.

The changes reduce the risk of a vehicle reversing too far back onto the public walkway and causing harm to someone.

Currently, reversing often contributes to waiting times and can cause stress as it halts the flow of traffic. Instead, on most occasions, drivers will be able to drive forwards into a parking spot with no need to reverse (like parking at a petrol station).

These changes will improve visibility for people waiting to park and improve the flow of movement on site as it won’t be difficult to find a free space.

Other HWRCs

The operational and safety benefits mean we will introduce these plans to all HWRCs.

They are already in place and have been working well at Corby for some time (the layout markings will be refreshed as part of this work). 

Support

Meet and greet representatives will manage traffic and direct people to the next available parking space. 

You will be asked what materials you have, directed towards appropriate bays and asked if you need help (including if you have issues with mobility) - all to help keep things moving efficiently and avoid congestion or queuing.

This will also help identify any potential trade or prohibited waste abuse.

Low-level containers for hardcore and plasterboard will be relocated so they’re closer if you need dispose of these heavier materials and help reduce bottlenecks.

Less risk of damaging vehicles

Our operator has a duty to keep the site clean with regular sweeping. This includes using a magnetic roller to pick up metal screws and nails dropped by accident.

As vehicles won’t be parked next to each other, this will reduce the risk of side doors being opened onto adjacent vehicles, which has happened in the past.

Safety moving across sites

Our operator is responsible for making our HWRCs reasonably safe for lawful visitors.

There will be clearly designated zebra crossing points and walkways.

To make sure that our sites are safe, the operator has 

• completed risk assessments
• considered guidance from Health and Safety
• considered specific guidance from waste industry health and safety groups

Costs

All improvements are included as part of the operator's costs and were included in their proposal. There are no additional costs to us.

Last updated 05 September 2025