Dover & Deal MP Natalie Elphicke is calling for local booking systems for each area and extended opening times as tips reopen today in Kent.

A month ago, she called on Kent County Council to reopen the sites with controls on social distancing following a surge in fly-tipping, bonfires and general litter.

Mrs Elphicke and 12 other Kent MPs then made a formal request to council leader Roger Gough.

Last week the council relented and vowed to reopen its Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) from today on restricted hours from 9am to 3pm to allow for “enhanced cleaning”.

But residents can only book one trip a month.

Since the online and telephone booking system has been put in place, problems have been reported with some 20,000 people waiting hours on the phone to make a booking, as well as the system crashing.

Book your slot online at Dover, Deal or Sandwich by clicking here

"If residents can’t get online to make an appointment, they will give up and we will continue to have serious problems with litter..."

Mrs Elphicke said: “Before sites reopened the booking system has crashed and local residents have been up in arms after finding themselves at 19,000th and even beyond in the queue.

“If residents can’t get online to make an appointment, they will give up and we will continue to have serious problems with litter and risks to the public health. Dover District Council offered to host a local booking system over a month ago.

"A local booking system for each area would work better, faster and more efficiently than one for the whole of the county.

“I also worry about the reduced hours, because we have seen in London that restricting essential services like the Tube results in greater demand and overcrowding and actually increases risk.”

Government guidance issued last month said HWRCs could remain open with controls in place. However, Kent County Council closed all its 18 sites on March 23.

Our reporter managed to book a slot online this morning in a matter of minutes.

Weekend slots were sparse but slots were available from the end of the month.

Who can visit? You will only be able to book one visit in any four week period per household to ensure everyone can use the site safely. One slot is for one trip, not multiple.

The booking form has been developed in partnership with Medway Council, and you will be directed to their site for your booking.

Booking slots available are: 9am to 10.30am, 10.45am to noon, 12.15pm to 1pm, 1.45pm to 3pm,

If slots are not available at the time of booking please note that new slots will be added each day and we ask you to keep checking back.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent

Head to our politics page for expert analysis and all the latest news from your politicians and councils.