OVER 14,000 vehicles travelled to Bradford's household waste sites the first week they opened, Bradford Council has revealed.

When four of the centres re-opened on May 11, for the first time since late March, thousands of vehicles attended the sites in just a few days, braving queues of over an hour to get in.

Council bosses have now thanked residents for their patience and good will when using the household waste sites.

Queues to get into the sites have been  long, particularly at Royd Ings, Keighley and Midland Road, Bradford.

WATCH: Queues as some Bradford tips re-open after shutting at the end of March

But the Council says the majority of drivers have done what has been requested and assisted staff who are overseeing traffic management.

Numbers of residents vising the sites hit a high of almost 2,900 vehicles on Monday, with 2,699 on Tuesday, 2,419 on Wednesday and 2,692 on Thursday this week.

In total 14,097 vehicles visited last week - the first week the centres were open.

Residents have been asked not to use the sites unless absolutely necessary at this time.

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “Please bear in mind that you may have to queue for over an hour to gain access to one of the Household Waste sites.

“We would ask everybody to carefully consider whether they desperately need to use the site at this time.

“This deadly virus takes every opportunity to spread when people congregate, so for the safety of yourselves, other residents and staff, please take advantage of bulky waste collection service or store your rubbish at home for as long as possible.”

Everyone using Bradford Council’s Household Waste Recycling Centres needs to show a residents’ permit from inside the vehicle with the windows up, and observe new social distancing rules at all times.