Council chiefs change permit rules for tips
Commercial vehicles will now have to secure paperwork
Van and pick-up truck drivers who have been able to use Linwood’s recycling centre without a permit in recent weeks will now have to apply for one again following an apparent U-turn by council chiefs.
Commercial-style vehicles have been able to enter the tip in Middleton Road without a permit since July 13.
But this week the council has said people driving vans, pick-up trucks and minibuses must now secure a permit in advance of visiting the centre.
It is understood the reintroduction of permits has come about due to the number of commercial businesses attempting to use the facilities free of charge.
Linwood is the only recycling centre commercial vehicles are currently allowed to use, with the four other tips in Renfrewshire only allowing cars without trailers in.
Councillor John Shaw, who originally questioned the council’s decision to do away with permits at an emergencies board meeting last month, said: “I’m told the reintroduction is down to the number of commercial businesses and traders attempting to use these facilities free of charge.”
Councillor Eddie Devine, who sits on the environment policy board, said the council should never have got rid of permits in the first place.
The Labour man said: “We need to be consistent and tell people a consistent story, and that’s why I think the council should not have done away with the system in the first place.
“It’s not unknown for stuff to be dumped that should not be dumped and if we are going to do a permit system it should apply at all times.”
Council officers had previously suggested commercial-style vehicles would continue to not need permits until at least the end of August, when a review of arrangements across all tips is due to be carried out.
Drivers getting rid of waste from these vehicles must now obtain a permit prior to entry and may be asked to complete a declaration stating the rubbish being tipped has not been generated by commercial activity.
They will also need to produce photographic ID and proof of residency and may be asked to leave if these are not produced.
Permits are only allowed to be used a maximum of three times a day and anyone attempting to dump commercial waste at the site will be turned away.
The only commercial-style vehicles which will be allowed into the tip will be vans less than 3.5t in weight - with a maximum of four wheels - pick-ups, minibuses with eight to 11 seats and vehicles with a trailer less than 1.8m long and 1.2m wide.
Centres at Linwood and Paisley are open seven days a week to cars, while those in Erskine, Renfrew and Johnstone are only letting residents in on selected days from 8am to 6pm.
These arrangements, along with those for commercial-style vehicles, will be reviewed by officers and elected members at the end of August.
Renfrewshire Council has been contacted for comment.
I think the council should not have done away with the system in the first place