Councillor pushes for Waterlooville tip to be exempt from online bookings

As previously reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Hampshire County Council has made the booking service for waste recycling centres permanent.

But a couple of councillors have criticised the 'one size fits all' approach, claiming that booking is not needed at every tip site.

Cllr Gary Hughes, Conservative member for Purbrook and Stakes South, said: 'The restrictions on entry that we introduced were a consequence of the queues we saw at the start of the pandemic.

'It's ironic that on the day the government lifts restrictions we are deciding to keep ours.

'Controlling access with a booking system may have a safety implication, but the tip in Waterlooville presents no traffic hazard whatsoever - so in my opinion no booking should be required.

'We want people to get rid of their waste in the most efficient way possible.'

Based off Darnel Road in Denmead, the Waterlooville tip has a 200m stretch of road leading up to the site entrance - which Cllr Hughes argued alleviates any traffic problems.

The Conservative councillor added that he wanted to 'get back to normal' and also received support from opposing Liberal Democrat, Cllr Martin Tod.

Cllr Tod said: 'We need a booking system for Hampshire tips, but some places are naturally different to others.

'We can't use a one size fits all approach, so I absolutely stand with Cllr Hughes on this matter.'

SEE ALSO: Labour blasts government for having 'all the wrong priorities' amid Downing Street lockdown party fiasco

Southampton is running a three-month trial without a booking system for waste recycling centres, while Portsmouth has also elected to keep its system.

Cllr Hughes proposed an amendment to the booking proposals, which would introduce a booking-free trial in Waterlooville for three months.

His motion was defeated by four votes to seven.

Cllr Humby, who sat in on the select committee meeting, said: 'I think it helps people to think about their waste if they have to book a slot to dispose of it.

'It makes them think about their trip, what they can bring in their car and so on.

'I would be concerned about doing a pilot like this at this stage – if we have different processes for different tips it is going to get very confusing, very quickly.'

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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