Council bosses are not anticipating a need for traffic marshals or extra security when changes to Norfolk tips, including having to book time slots, come in next month.

But opposition councillors have urged leaders at Norfolk County Council to be ready to rethink the controversial changes should they prove to be "flawed".

Norfolk County Council this week revealed further details of its money-saving plans to introduce booked time slots at its 19 recycling centres.

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

Those who have not done so will be turned away.

But officers at Norfolk County Council say they believe such instances will be rare at what is traditionally one of the quietest times of year.

They currently have no plans to bring in traffic marshals or to beef up security at tips.

The council believes publicity around changes means people will be unlikely to head to them without a booked appointment.

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

The booking system has been defended by James Bensly, the council's cabinet member for environment and waste.

He said the changes were in line with similar systems in Suffolk and Essex.

Liberal Democrat county councillor Dan RoperLiberal Democrat county councillor Dan Roper (Image: Dan Roper)

But Liberal Democrat county councillor Dan Roper, said: "We will be urging the council to monitor the new system closely to ensure the service is not disrupted, numbers of customers and waste volume are not reduced, and most importantly that incidents of fly-tipping do not increase.

"The council must be open to rethinking the system if it proves to be flawed."

Changes are also being made to how trade waste is charged for, shifting from charges per bag to charges per size of vehicle. 

Small traders have slammed that change and Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at County Hall, said he was challenging the decision-making around it.

Steve Morphew, leaderSteve Morphew, Labour leader at County Hall (Image: Denise Bradley)

He said: "There has been no opportunity for councillors to comment on or scrutinise the controversial change in accordance with our rules."