PEOPLE will soon have to book before visiting a recycling centre in Dorset – a move that has been criticised by many.
By autumn, Dorset residents will no longer be able to visit a recycling centre in the county whenever they want, as they will first need to book a 30-minute slot online.
Dorset Council said it is introducing this new system as a way to prevent incidents of fly-tipping, but there have been suggestions from New Blackmore Vale readers that it will actually make people more likely to dump waste illegally.
One reader, Lee Paula Keeping, said: “Good idea, but I don’t see how it would ‘reduce’ fly-tipping. It’s more likely to cause further dumping of rubbish in other areas because they won’t want the hassle of booking.”
Another reader, Amanda Smith, said: “[I] don’t agree with booking a slot in advance.
“Yes, it will cause fly-tipping, as people who cannot get in will just dump it wherever. Bad idea!”
While Dorset Council said that those unable to book online from day one will still be able to take their waste to a recycling centre where they will be given assistance with using the new system on site, concerns were raised for those without access to a smartphone.
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Booking via calling a phone number is set to be introduced “later” Dorset Council said.
One reader, Maria, said: “Mum does not have a mobile and won’t be able to book in advance. She would be very upset if she got turned away.”
Dorset Council’s cabinet member for place services, Jon Andrews, said the new system “works well in other places”.
A similar scheme has already been rolled out in Essex, Swindon, Suffolk, Kent and Gloucestershire.
“The current just-turn-up-and-drop-off system at our household recycling centres (HRC) has served us well over the years but is now showing its limitations,” said cllr Andrews.
“Many of our sites, especially at Dorchester and Wimborne, experience long periods of queuing and crowding that cause frustration for visitors, nearby residents, and local businesses.
“This system will improve the overall customer experience by preventing these problems.
“We understand people will need to get used to something new, and there will be a period of adjustment for many people who have become accustomed to the current process.
“But a few extra minutes at home booking a slot before loading up your vehicle with waste will potentially save you much longer delays when you arrive at the HRC, leading to a better experience for everyone.”
Visitors will be asked to submit personal information, including their name, address and vehicle registration.
Most bookings will be able to be made for the same day – and there will not be a limit on the number of visits.
Concerns that the new system would increase incidents of fly-tipping have been dismissed by Dorset Council.
A spokesperson said: “Fears around increased fly-tipping in other counties have also proven to be unfounded, with the councils who are already using a booking system not witnessing any significant increases in illegally dumped waste.
“The new system will also save council taxpayers’ money by helping to prevent trade waste from being illegally disposed of at the HRCs.”
A petition calling for the new booking system to not be introduced in Bridport has been signed by 1,168 people.
How on earth is it going to stop fly tipping, surely it’s a reason to fkytio
I heard Bridport booking was to stop people coming across the border from Devon and dumping their rubbish.
This proposed new system is ridiculous. Quite aside from those in society that cannot use the internet or know how to do such a thing on their phones consider this.. the weather in this country being largely unpredictable people do their gardens as and when they can and to have such a system compounds the nuisance of having to store the waste if they can’t get a ‘slot’ to go. Whereas now, you go up to finish the jobs of the day. I’ve mentioned this system to friends online all around the UK and they agree, where it’s been put in place in other counties is has just INCREASED fly tipping in the are, not reduced. Maybe these councils who say it has are looking at the figures of incidents in their counties through rose coloured glasses, not wanting to admit the failure of it. I believe it’s a way of making people pay to use the brown bin collection, which is not even all year round, which is silly because aside from a few weeks (perhaps) of snow, gardening and waste needs to be collected all year now. There are already restrictions on some items to be taken to the dump and charges. Also it occurs to me, are they not going to have to employ someone full time to take the calls and monitor requests coming in on computer. Total waste of Council money. Leave it as it is, it ‘aint broke, no need to fix it!!
With all the problems within running Dorset Council the people running it are absolutely blinkered and don’t have clue, I use Bridport recycling centre regularly I have never waited or had a problem why do the council want to change something that is not broken in Bridport, they need to put the little brain power they have and sort out areas where they do have problems, I am totally against the idea of going on line to pre book an appointment,
What a pointless system and a huge waste ofntax payers money. Assuming this system is for all centres, at the Sherborne recycling centre I have never had to wait more than 5 minutes for s space to become available.
I totally agree. It’s a ridiculous proposal!
Here we go, Dorset council fixing a non problem and avoiding fixing real problems like potholes, public toilets, homeless people and hundreds of other causes that need fixing. This is a pointless system and a huge waste of tax payers money, I use Sherborne and Shaftesbury recycling centres and I’ve never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a space to become available. I would love to know how they come to this conclusion that we need this and see the research and surveys they did, I have also noticed that they are being very quiet about how much this is costing !
I’ve used booking systems and they made the process easier, more reliable, no queues and safer. I’ve never once been unable to book a convenient slot.
It’s a fallacy that it increases fly tipping, the evidence just isn’t there. Whether it will save money is another matter entirely.