PEOPLE wishing to visit a Household Recycling Centre (HRC) in Dorset will soon be asked to book a slot online prior to visiting.
Dorset Council is set to launch a new system through its website in the autumn, which will require visitors to book a 30-minute slot.
The council said the new app is needed to reduce incidents of fly-tipping and slots will be able to be booked up to two weeks before a visit.
“It works well in other places, and we are doing everything we can to help our residents keep Dorset as the top-performing unitary council in the country for recycling,” said councillor Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for place services.
Visitors will be asked to submit personal information, including their name, address and vehicle registration.
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Most bookings will be able to be made for the same day – and there will not be a limit on the number of visits.
Booking via the phone will be introduced “later”, the council said.
Those people unable to book online from day one can still take their waste to an HRC where they will be given assistance with using the new system on site.
A similar scheme has already been rolled out in Essex, Swindon, Suffolk, Kent and Gloucestershire.
The council added that following a period of adjustment at these sites, it was found that the systems led to a better experience for both site visitors and support staff.
“For example, here in Dorset, Verwood residents have spoken favourably about the booking system that Hampshire County Council uses when booking visits to the Somerley recycling centre,” a spokesperson said.
“Essex County Council recently reported a 95% satisfaction rate with their booking system.”
A transitional period will be introduced while the new scheme is rolled out which will allow visitors who haven’t booked a slot when they arrive at a HRC to speak with site staff and drop off their waste.
This will prevent people getting caught out by the new rules and allow staff to assist those who may need help using the new system. There may also be exemptions for those unable to easily book a slot.
Cllr Andrews said the booking system is needed to reduce “long periods” of queuing at sites such as Dorchester and Wimborne.
“This system will improve the overall customer experience by preventing these problems,” he said.
“We understand people will need to get used to something new, and there will be a period of adjustment for many people who have become accustomed to the current process.
“But a few extra minutes at home booking a slot before loading up your vehicle with waste will potentially save you much longer delays when you arrive at the HRC, leading to a better experience for everyone.”
Current arrangements, such as opening hours, types of waste accepted, vehicle permits and chargeable waste will remain unchanged.
“Why fix a system that is not broken?”
However, it has been suggested by some that the new system would actually encourage more incidents of fly-tipping.
One commenter said: “What a nightmare; who thought this was a good idea for Dorset?
“We regularly use Sherborne waste site, and very rarely are there more than one car in front of us. What a complete waste of our time and council resources. Please scrap this nonsense immediately.”
Another said: “Considering how we used to queue along South Street, causing traffic chaos, the new HRC in Bridport is excellent and I have never had to wait.
“Why fix a system that is not broken? By all means bring it in for Dorchester and Wimborne where they will appreciate it, but it will only serve to inconvenience us here in Bridport.”
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I live in Swanage and all the years I’ve used the tip there has never been a queue. The system works perfectly, hassle free so why change something that isn’t broken?
If people are using the tips correctly and disposing of their household waste why does the council need to know who they are and what vehicle they are in? It will stop people using the tip and encourage fly tipping, if one had a sofa that needs removing I’ve asked a friend to put in their trailer and take it to the tip for me, so this will discourage people from helping others. You will end up with gardens full of fridge freezers, mattresses etc and then be expected to pay £36 for an item to be removed when it could’ve been disposed of within a hour
Portland centre is always flowing nicely….staff are excellent…not sure it’s needed here
My first thought was that there would be more fly tipping. My husband doesn’t use technology so wouldn’t be able to book on line.
I cannot believe the stupidity of our Dorset Council members who have decided to push for this type of solution. We live along the Jurassic coast road and weekly you see fly tipping offences being carried out by waste carriers because they’ve duped a household who are stupid enough to engage with these criminals. The system isn’t broken, why waste the local taxpayers money in arranging this because this App software won’t be cheap to develop, manage and run. If the council think that there is a traffic problem and this will alleviate that issue surely Bridport, Weymouth facilities have been well designed. Yes, Dorchester can create a traffic que because of it’s location and working practices to shut the gate when vehicle movements are necessary for health and safety. The approach road is the problem and members of the public who don’t perhaps think not to block the road.
This system is not needed in Swanage where the staff are amazing. There is never a problem getting onto the site and it will probably increase fly tipping in the area.
Swanage tip never has any queues as it is well positioned, designed and run. As the community has a large ratio of older residents as well as holiday and weekend visitors, an online booking system will discourage or prevent them using Swanage tip, hence adding to the possibility of fly tipping. Please consider not including Swanage in this initiative but focus on sites where queuing is a proven problem.
Not needed for portland. Why continue to make things harder for people to use. We don’t all have free days to book a “slot”. Your encouraging fly tipping.