7,000 sign up to e-permit entry scheme at city tip

More than 7,000 residents have signed up to a new e-permit scheme for a city's recycling centre.

Peterborough City Council hopes permits for the Fengate Household Recycling Centre could reduce the amount of out-of-area visitors.

People have been coming from Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire to use the site due to "restricted opening hours" at their local centres, according to a report.

The new arrangement, which starts on Monday, aims to lower waste, reduce costs to Peterborough taxpayers and cut congestion during peak times.

In September, the council proposed introducing the residents-only permit with hopes it could save about £63,000 by April 2026.

Angus Ellis, Peterborough City Council's cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "It is a real asset for the council and Peterborough residents, providing a modern one-stop-shop facility which continues to receive positive feedback from users.

"However, this has meant that it often attracts visitors from outside of the city, which can result in it becoming very busy at peak times.

"It's also unfair for local taxpayers to fund usage by non-Peterborough residents. We are fully committed to ensuring that it runs effectively and the new e-permits will help us achieve this."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said there were fears the new scheme could lead to a rise in flytipping across the city.

Mr Ellis added the council did not anticipate more fly-tipping and claimed the problem was primarily driven by smaller traders offering low-cost clearance services.

The council has previously operated a van or trailer e-permit scheme which has been extended to all those visiting by motor vehicle.

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