Council tips booking plan revised after feedback

Controversial plans to introduce a booking system across Dorset's household tips have been revised after a chorus of objections.

Dorset Council previously said the plan was needed at all 10 of its sites to reduce congestion and prevent misuse by commercial users and people from outside the county.

But after a backlash, the authority rolled back the proposals to just four household recycling centres (HRCs) - Dorchester, Wimborne, Shaftesbury and Sherborne.

It said "alternative measures" would be explored to combat commercial misuse at Bridport, Swanage, Weymouth, Portland, Wareham and Blandford.

About 20% of the waste received at Shaftesbury and Sherborne comes from outside of the county, according to the council, with the cost currently being met by council tax payers.

Residents from across the county border in Somerset and Wiltshire will still be able to use both tips but will be required to pay an entry fee.

The system is also aimed at reducing queuing at Dorchester and Wimborne, which are both prone to congestion.

The authority has not ruled out introducing the system across the remaining sites, saying it will "gather real-world data to assess the system's impact in areas of Dorset before considering a wider rollout".

Place services councillor Jon Andrews said: "We still believe a booking system is the best way to protect our recycling centres from future service cuts, but this new approach allows us to prioritise the areas with the most pressing issues.

"We've heard from many residents who say 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' and we get that.

"But the reality is, the current service is costing more than it should, and some areas do need fixing to a certain extent.

"A booking system will save hundreds of thousands of pounds - money that helps us keep all our HRCs open and avoid reducing hours or closing locations."

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