“We’ll scrap booking system” says Shrop Lib Dems

Shropshire’s Liberal Democrats say they would scrap the controversial Household Recycling Centre booking system if they were in power.

Anyone wishing to use any of the county’s recycling centres now have to book a slot. This, Shropshire Council say, will help save money by reducing the cost of disposing of trade waste, non-recyclable waste and waste from outside the county. It will also help to reduce congestion and queuing times, increase recycling as centre staff will be able to better engage with visitors, and reduce the amount of trade waste taken to the centres.

It is also claimed that there is no evidence that recycling centre booking systems lead to an increase in fly-tipping.

The new system does not include the Telford & Wrekin Council area, although Telford residents can book to use sites in the Shropshire Council area.

Slots can be booked up to six days in advance, with 15 minutes reserved for cars and 30 minutes (60 minutes at weekends) for vans and trailers respectively. However, the new system has not gone down well with many people, with locals saying they haven’t seen any queues at any of the sites.

“In six months the residents of Shropshire will go to the polls, if they put their trust in the Liberal Democrats we will be looking to abolish the Tory booking system from day one,” said Councillor Rob Wilson, shadow portfolio holder for climate, environment and transport.

“This is a solution in search of a problem. If the Conservatives had listened to the 18,000 people who responded to their consultation, they would have heard that 59% of residents opposed the introduction of the booking system, and only a quarter supported it. Comments highlighted that it was too much hassle, unnecessary and counterproductive.

“I have little faith that this system will produce any savings at all. There is a clear choice at the Local Elections in May, a fresh start with the Liberal Democrats, or more muddled and chaotic decision making from the Conservatives.”