Booking system to come into force at council tips

An online booking system is being introduced by a council for residents who want to dispose of rubbish at its four tips.

Central Bedfordshire Council said 20-minute slots will come into effect from Wednesday at its recycling centres in Ampthill, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard and Thorn Turn in Houghton Regis.

The council said it would "reduce queues, improve traffic flow, and ensure centres are used exclusively by Central Bedfordshire residents".

Residents who want to dispose of restricted items, like carpets, mattresses, DIY waste, engine oil, gas bottles, or fire extinguishers, will need to apply for a waste permit.

Slots can be booked up to two weeks in advance, with same-day bookings available, it added.

Independent councillor Tracey Wye, executive member for sustainability and climate resilience, said: "The new booking system will ensure that only Central Bedfordshire residents use the sites for free and make sure we are not paying to dispose of waste from people living elsewhere.

"It will make using the recycling centres quicker and easier, preventing queues, or worse, those days where everyone comes at once and they have to start turning people away."

The council said by managing the numbers, staff will be able to offer more on-site recycling advice that would hopefully boost recycling rates.

In February, the council voted not to reduce opening hours at recycling centres, as it tried to save £35m from its annual budget.

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