FRUSTRATED pensioners have blasted new “ridiculous” rules banning their car from their nearest recycle centre.

Charles and Maureen Norgan, who live in Main Road, Ramsey, have a Ford Ranger Thunder which they drive for personal usage.

But the couple claim they are not allowed to use Dovercourt Recycling Centre because their vehicle has an open back.

In October last year Essex County Council introduced a rule that vans, pick-ups and other commercial vehicles - including those privately owned - are not allowed to use the site.

Mr Norgan, 68, said drivers of these types of vehicles are even banned from walking into the centre carrying their own household rubbish.

He said: “Our vehicle is not for commercial use and we just want to drop off our household waste.

“The situation is pathetic as there is nothing actually wrong with the rubbish we want to dispose of.

“We are simply not allowed to drop rubbish off because of the vehicle we use.

“Essex County Council has advised us to drive 20 miles to a bigger rubbish site in Clacton, which is just ridiculous.”

Mr Norgan also said he has seen residents queuing for up to 40 minutes to get into the recycle centre who have been turned away due to the vehicle they drive.

His wife Mrs Norgan, 68, said she contacted the council about the issue with her car at the beginning of the year.

She said: “I don’t want to have to spend money on fuel to drive 20 miles and back to dispose of my rubbish in Clacton.

“Any vehicle which looks like it can be used for commercial use is barred and mine is because it has an open back.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “These changes, which came into effect last October at some of our smaller recycling centres, were publicised and residents were made aware of the sites affected well in advance.

“Residents who wish to use vans or pick-up trucks to dispose of their own household waste are still able to access the larger recycling sites, such as those in Clacton and Colchester.

“These changes have allowed our smaller centres to operate more efficiently, reducing queuing times and site closures for the emptying of skips.”