Timed slots to take waste to Norfolk recycling centres start

People wanting to take their rubbish to any of the county's 19 recycling centres from Monday, November 18 will have to have pre-booked a 15-minute slot for their visit, either online or by phone.

From Monday, November 11, people will be able to use the new booking system for the first time - to book for tip trips the following week.

Visits to Norfolk recycling centres from November 18 will have to be booked in advance (Image: Mike Page)

Critics slammed the move, saying it will discourage people from recycling and trigger a fly-tipping surge.

But the Conservative-controlled council rejects those claims and says it needs to make the change to reduce costs.

The authority said it faces a bill of up to £1m because the government abolished some of fees charged for getting rid of household DIY waste.

The council said the booking system is in line with similar systems in Suffolk and Essex.

People will be able to book one week in advance of their planned trip to the tip.

People will have to book 15-minute slots to take rubbish to Norfolk's recycling centres (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Only one slot can be booked at a time, but, the council says, as long as slots are available, more than one can be booked each day.

Liberal Democrat county councillor David Sayers (Image: Liberal Democrats)

David Sayers, Liberal Democrat councillor for Gaywood North and Central in King's Lynn, asked, at a recent meeting if there would be flexibility over the 15-minute slots.

James Bensly, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for environment and waste (Image: Norfolk Conservatives)

James Bensly, cabinet member for environment and waste, said: "Customers are asked to arrive within their pre-booked 15-minute slot rather than strictly at the start of it, so if they’re running a few minutes later than planned, but still arrive within their 15-minute slot they will still be able to access the recycling centre.

"If customers are running later than the end of their slot, it may still be possible to accommodate their visit and staff would try their best to help, but this is not guaranteed and they may need to book a new visit."

From Monday, details on how to book will be available at www.norfolk.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling

People do not need to book to visit between now and November 18.