DORCHESTER town councillors say they will continue to press for a better site for the town’s household recycling centre.

The tip, at Louds Mill, is at the end of a pot-holed road which often floods in winter and is difficult for many people to use without assistance. The site frequently has to be completely closed for lorries to remove the skip containers, resulting in long queues in the narrow approach road.

During the past two years there have also been problems for residents in Lubbecke Way and adjoining roads by HGVs using part of the route where they should be banned – although Dorset Council has yet to enact the full weight restrictions. It took more than a year to put in parking restrictions to improve traffic flows.

Alternative sites have been investigated in the past, including a site on the Duchy’s Poundbury estate, which led to outcry from residents living there. None have been progressed by Dorset Council to a firm proposal.

Cllr Les Fry told this week’s town council meeting that the town should continue to press Dorset Council to find an alternative site and construct something which was easier for people to use.

“We do need a better, more modern, site. What we have got is well out of date. A new site would be more efficient,” he said.

Cllr Stella Jones said Dorset Council was planning to install a cover, costing £45,000, to help protect tip users from the worst of the weather, but said that while it was a welcome improvement would not tackle the fact that the site is unsuitable for people who find it difficult to climb steps to dump their recycling into a skip.

She said that Dorset Council had gone ahead with the proposals for the shelter without consulting the town council or ward members for the area.