Norfolk recycling centre booking slot details revealed

From Monday, November 18, people wanting to take their rubbish to a recycling centre will have to have booked a slot for their visit beforehand, either online or by phone.

Those who have not done so, will be turned away.

The booking system itself will come into effect a week earlier, on Monday, November 11, with people asked to book up to seven days in advance of their trip to the tip.

The cost-cutting measures have been brought in by Norfolk County Council which says it will save money by reducing the overall amount of waste which is left at its 19 recycling centres, and which it has to dispose of.

Critics fear it will trigger an increase in fly-tipping. But County Hall leaders insist it will not and point out Suffolk and Essex already have similar booking systems in place.

People will have to book slots to take waste to Norfolk's tips from November 18 (Image: Ian Burt)

The council says slots are available every 15 minutes and that people can make bookings or cancel them right up to the time of the booking.

The council also confirmed people will be asked to give the registration number of the vehicle they will be using on the day, while even those arriving on bicycle or by foot will be expected to book.

People do not have to book if they only want to visit the re-use shops at tips, but do if they also want to leave waste in the same visit.

People will have to book slots to take rubbish to Norfolk's recycling centres (Image: Sonya Duncan)

As well as the booking system, trade customers will also see a change to the way they pay to get rid of waste from November 1.

Businesses will be charged based on the size of vehicle and the type of waste they bring, instead of the number of bags.

Traders, including those who carry out garden maintenance and house clearances, have criticised that change.

They say it will mean higher costs and warn that they will have to pass those on to customers, or they could end up going out of business.

They will also have to book slots to get rid of rubbish and will have to provide their waste carrier licence number.

James Bensly, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for environment and waste (Image: Norfolk Conservatives)

James Bensly, the council's cabinet member for environment and waste, defended the changes.

He said: "Booking systems are widely used across the country, including by our neighbouring counties Suffolk and Essex.

"The booking system will offer many benefits including reduced congestion and improved waiting times.

"Our site staff will have more time to help customers who need assistance which makes for a better customer experience all round.

"The changes to the trade waste service mean we can continue to provide a convenient way for small businesses to dispose of small amounts of trade waste in Norfolk, whilst covering the costs of disposal."

Opposition councillors said the decision to change how trade waste is charged for had been made without proper debate.

Labour group leader Steve Morphew (Image: Denise Bradley)

Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at County Hall, said: "The charging decision itself has been fly-tipped on the public and cabinet has not bothered to ask councillors for views on the real world consequences.

"Instead of taking it through committees for councillors to discuss and scrutinise, once again the doors close and the Tory cabinet decides in secret.

"Changing this charging policy was bound to be controversial and lead to further fly-tipping blight.

"The public will be expecting their councillors to be interested and reflect their views into this kind of decision and I mean to make sure they can."

The county council, which last week unveiled £33m of cuts and savings as it looks to plug a £45m budget gap next year, agreed earlier this year to shut its recycling centres on Wednesdays to save cash.

It also closed Mayton Wood Recycling Centre, near Coltishall, while its decision to replace Sheringham Recycling Centre sparked opposition.