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Call for tip booking plan in Surrey to be scrapped

Jack Fiehn
BBC political reporter, Surrey
BBC The community recycling centre at Camberley. A white sign has the logos of Suez and Surrey County Council and says: "Recycling and recovery, Camberley community recycling centre." It also has the opening times for the tip. Another sign wars that a camera is in use.BBC
Surrey County Council said the aim of the online booking trial at the Camberley and Lyne centres is to improve ease and effectiveness

A plan to roll out a booking system at two of Surrey's tips should be scrapped, a councillor has said.

Surrey County Council (SCC) will trial a scheme between 11 August and 10 November for residents who use the Camberley and Lyne (Chertsey) Community Recycling Centres (CRCs).

Richard Wilson, who is the Liberal Democrat councillor for Bagshot, said the new system would "add even more hassle to the task of disposing of household waste".

Natalie Bramhall, SCC Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure, said the booking system aims "to make the CRC service easier to use and more effective for Surrey residents".

Councillor Wilson, who previously campaigned to stop a tip at Swift Lane in Bagshot from closing in March, said SCC had been "warned" that decision would lead to congestion at other sites.

"Its catchment area was 12,000 people, who now have to use Camberley or Chertsey tips," he said.

He said 1,250 people signed a petition he organised to save Swift Lane.

Clare Cowan/BBC A man - councillor Richard Wilson - wearing a black jacket and black gloves stands to the right of a big yellow sign. The yellow sign reads: "From 11th March 2025 Bagshot Community Recycling Centre will permanently close / The nearest alternative Community Recycling Centre for Surrey residents is Wilton Road, Camberley (GU15 2QW) / Windsor and Maidenhead residents can visit Lyne Lane, Chertsey (KT16 0AR)"Clare Cowan/BBC
Councillor Richard Wilson had campaigned against the closure of a tip at Bagshot

Mr Wilson said the Conservative-run council did not have a "democratic mandate" after elections were cancelled in May.

He is calling on SCC to "listen to the people of Surrey Heath, who are clearly opposed" to the booking trial.

Slots will be available to book two weeks in advance, with the system going live on 28 July.

Residents can make up to 10 appointments per month, with each slot lasting 15 minutes.

Until 11 August, people will be able to visit both CRCs as usual, and no other CRCs will be impacted by the system.

Councillor Bramhall said: "To help further ease congestion we are now trialling a booking system to make the CRC service easier to use and more effective for Surrey residents.

"We have listened and will continue to listen to residents and businesses to help shape the CRC service we provide to make it as easy to use and efficient as possible for Surrey residents."

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