I HAVE just returned from my first visit to the new-look recycling centre in Beckfield Lane and am not at all impressed.

Now, instead of emptying bags down into a skip, they have to be hauled up eight metal steps, then lifted shoulder high in order to be emptied.

At 10.10am on Saturday the steps were already covered in soil, which had it been raining would have been mud (health and safety issues here?)

Who are these facilities designed for? Thirty-year-old six-footers? Certainly not older or female gardeners. I found it extremely difficult to manhandle the bags of grass cuttings I had taken as they are quite heavy.

In the leaflet I was given, it states that you can ask for help. But the traffic flow has slowed considerably, causing chaos due to the layout, and only two or three staff were on hand. This is frankly laughable and not the solution.

Janet Seddon,

Knapton Lane,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 09:35 Tuesday, August 09, 2005