'Little faith' over future savings from new booking system at Shropshire's tips

Anyone wishing to use any of the county’s recycling centres now have to book a slot. 

This, the Conservative-led 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, according to the authority.

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.

Lib Dem councillor Rob Wilson, shadow portfolio holder for climate, environment and transport, insists his party will scrap the system if they get into power.

“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,” he said.

“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.”