Wheeled bins cannot be taken up or down steps. To ensure that refuse collection crews can safely get the bins to the collection vehicles, access paths should be at least 1.2 metres wide with a maximum gradient of 1:12.
It is therefore necessary to show all relevant areas of hard surfacing on site plans, and to include a site survey indicating any change in levels from the refuse storage area to the property edge. The surface of the path shall be smooth, continuous and hard wearing.
Dropped kerbs (with a 6mm10mm upstand) should be provided where access paths meet the roadway and bins shall not have to pass through designated parking spaces or bicycle storage areas.
The maximum carry distance for residents is 25m for houses and 9m for flats.
Waste and Recycling Services provided by the Royal borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, use a range of vehicles. Where a vehicle is required to enter a site a vehicle movement plan, or swept path analysis is required. All vehicles are rear steering; this means that the vehicle movement plan should allow clearance of all walls and bollards on the site with this in consideration.
BS 5906:2005 recommends a minimum street width of 5m for waste collection vehicles. However, Manual for Streets recognises that smaller general widths are likely to be acceptable, for example where on-street parking is discouraged.
There is a preference to drive forwards into and out of any site. Where this is not possible, a plan should be made to reverse into the site and drive out forwards. Manual for streets suggests a maximum reversing distance of 12m.
Consideration should always be given to the swing needed to gain access onto a site. If the road is narrow and cars park on one side, it is inevitable that the vehicle truck will not be able to swing in to gain the access. The vehicle movement plan should bring the rear of the vehicle to within 10 metres of the bin store, with sufficient clearance to operate the lifting mechanism.
The plan should allow sufficient time to stop without causing an unnecessary obstruction. Roadways used by refuse vehicles must be designed to withstand a laden weight of not less than 26 tonnes. Any manhole cover or gully grating in these roads shall be of a heavy duty ‘Grade A’ type.
Minimum vehicle clearance
- Length – 10.96m.
- Height – 3.9m.
- Width – 2.49m.
- GVW – 26t.
Vehicles must be able to safely manoeuvre the space without risk of damage to property including street furniture and other vehicles. If the access is not clear, RBWM have the right to refuse collections and alternative collection provisions must be made by the managing agent/developer.