Booking system trial at several tip sites
A new booking system is set to be trialled at rubbish tips in West Sussex next month.
Covid precautions and the need to maintain social distancing has reduced the number of visitors who can use West Sussex’s household waste recycling sites at any one time.
This has led to significant congestion and queuing at certain sites and at times the police have advised closure of sites for road safety reasons.
With lockdown measures likely to be eased around the same time as the annual ‘spring surge’, West Sussex County Council is considering a trial of a booking system at five sites: Bognor Regis, Crawley, Horsham, Littlehampton and Shoreham from mid-March.
Residents would be able to go online or call to select a specific time slot to visit the sites, which it is hoped will reduce waiting times and prevent queues on nearby roads and inconvenience to neighbouring residents and businesses.
The proposal will be scrutinised by the environment and communities scrutiny committee on Wednesday, March 3.
At the moment, residents are asked to only visit the sites for essential reasons, where they are unable to safely store recycling or waste at home.
As the restrictions ease, it is anticipated more people will want to use the sites.
Residents have been encouraged to make full use of their kerbside collections, run by the district and borough councils, some of which also allow for small electrical items and textiles to be collected with your regular collections, but the use of HWRSs has continued at almost the same levels as before lockdown.
Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for environment said: “A booking system would allow us to provide a fair and equal service to all residents and also helpreducepressureonHWRSs as lockdown restrictions are lifted.
“Similar booking systems have been implemented in other areas, such as Hampshire, andhavesuccessfullyimproved the experience of using HWRSs for residents, as well as helping to manage the demand on the system.
“It should also have a positive impact on those living or operating businesses close to a household waste recycling site.
“Traffic would be more evenly spread across the day rather than peaking at certain times. Reduced queues would also help to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles visiting the sites and mean a smoother and quicker visiting experience for residents.”