Once-a-week limit on waste tip visits now lifted

HAMPSHIRE residents are now able to visit the county’s tips more than once a week after the weekly limit was lifted.

The move was confirmed in an announcement at a county council meeting on September 30 by the executive member for economy, transport and environment, Rob Humby.

The booking system will remain.

The restriction has been in place since June last year, when the limit was introduced after lockdown lifted to aid with social distancing and to ease congestion.

The announcement comes in the same week that garden waste collection for Basingstoke and Deane residents was suspended for at least a month due to an HGV driver shortage.

Mr Humby said: “We have listened to residents and believe that now we are further into the pandemic recovery phase, and entering a time of year when, historically, demand for site visits starts to reduce, the time is now right to increase opportunities to access household waste recycling centres.

“I am pleased to confirm that from October 4, residents will no longer be limited to one visit per week.

“While the requirement to book visits online will remain in place for, at least, the time being, residents will be able to book visits to suit their needs.

“I would ask residents to make the most of each visit and separate out items for reuse and recycling to help us reduce the amount of waste that has to be disposed of.

“By making this move now, as we are about to enter winter operating hours, we can ensure that the demand during reduced opening times, can be met.”

The new arrangement was effective from Monday.

The county council has also requested that any bookings made which are not required be cancelled so they are available to others.

For more information, visit https://www. hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/book-appointment