A booking system is to be brought back for those using Household Waste Recycling sites such as Spalding tip in West Marsh Road.
Lincolnshire County Council’s Executive has today (July 14) approved the measure and rejected another option to open the tips for longer than the current five days a week.
A booking system was brought in during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
The authority says it has made the decision based on feedback from 2,000 residents with it saying many had stated length of queues as a key issue for users and a change is needed because it’s taking 50 per cent more waste now than in 2021.
Chris Yorston, head of waste, said: “These recommendations are about ensuring our Household Waste Recycling Centres continue to meet the needs of Lincolnshire residents for many years to come.
“By managing demand more effectively, we’ll be able to reduce queues, improve safety, provide a better experience for residents and make the best possible use of public money while continuing to improve recycling performance.”
He told today’s meeting of the Executive that it could reduced waste tonnage ‘by about 20 per cent’ and save the authority around £1m a year.
On Spalding’s West Marsh Road site he said: “We’ve had issues with traffic going back on to the A17 (sic). About two years ago we were asked by police to actually close the site because of the queues.
He also said on the potential for increased levels of fly-tipping: “There’s been a lot of research by DEFRA and there’s no link on an increase in fly-tipping on any waste booking system that have been put in.
“It’s a criminal activity and the majority of our residents are law abiding citizens that will manage their waste responsibly.
“Unfortunately it’s some unscrupulous businesses that take advantage of people. The research is strong and DEFRA research shows that the average fly tip is from the size of a small van which shows it’s not your average resident using a car boot, its a commercial operation that’s taking place.”
The authority says opening the tips an extra day would cost it £1.5m a year.
Coun Natalie Oliver blamed increased fly-tipping on district councils and called a perceived link between the tip opening hours and fly-tipping as a ‘red herring’.
“Until we do more at the district level in terms of prosecution, I don’t think fly-tipping will ever be reduced. That’s the only place to really sort fly-tipping out.”
The booking system will include people having to input their post code to ensure it’s those from the county using tips.
Coun Rob Gibson used the meeting to raise that Sutton Bridge is the only place in Lincolnshire not within 12 miles of a waste recycling centre and asked if conversations had been had if residents there could use the closer Kings Lynn site.
Mr Yorston said: “The booking system improves acctualy improves access for the residents of Long Sutton (sic). They will make that journey to Spalding knowing the streams will be open, they’re not going to have a site in the queue for half an hour and they can plan their day.
“They will have a good customer experience when they get there and will be able to recycle as much as they possibly can.
“Staff will have more time to help them recycle, they can get out and back again.”
A county council spokesman said: “The booking system will enable visits to be spread more evenly throughout the day, helping to reduce queues both on and off site, improve access to waste streams, support staff and customers, and provide better protection against misuse of the service by traders and non-Lincolnshire residents.
“It will also support improvements in recycling performance by allowing staff more time to assist residents with correctly separating recyclable materials.
“Alongside the booking system, improvements will be made across the county’s Household Waste Recycling Centres, including upgraded signage, improved layouts and investment in site infrastructure where required.
“These works will create a more consistent standard across the network and further improve the experience for residents.”
Coun Danny Brookes, executive for environment, said “Today’s decision is about making sure our Household Waste Recycling Centres continue to provide the best possible service for Lincolnshire residents, both now and in the future.
“As more people use our sites each year, we need to make sure they remain safe, efficient and easy to use. The improvements agreed today, including the introduction of a booking system, are designed to reduce queuing, make visits more straightforward and improve the overall experience for residents. They will also help us make the best use of our sites, reduce congestion and continue to support high levels of recycling and reuse.
“We understand that any change to a well-used public service will generate questions, and we want to reassure residents that nothing will change immediately. There will be a period of preparation before the new arrangements are introduced, with clear information, guidance and support available every step of the way so everyone knows what to expect.”
The council say the booking system ‘will not be introduced immediately’.
“The council will now begin procuring the booking system and progressing the agreed infrastructure improvements,” a spokesman said. “A comprehensive communications and engagement programme will take place ahead of implementation, providing residents with plenty of notice, clear guidance on how the system will work, answers to frequently asked questions and opportunities to find out more before any changes come into effect.”
A phone system will be in place to book slots for those without internet connection, the Executive meeting was told.
