New same-day tip booking trial at Maidstone and Folkestone waste recycling centres

By: Ciaran Duggan, local democracy reporter cduggan@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 07:37, 10 December 2021

Updated: 07:39, 10 December 2021

Two Kent household waste recycling centres are trialling same-day online bookings as tougher coronavirus restrictions are being introduced in England.

Residents will be able to dump their rubbish on the same day they book a slot at either the tip in Ross Way, Folkestone or at Tovil in Maidstone, which are both run by Kent County Council (KCC).

People using Kent's waste recycling tips have had to book in advance since shortly after the first Covid lockdown

These have been described as two of the busiest sites across the county's 12 districts, excluding Medway.

An announcement was made yesterday by KCC, which oversees the running of 18 tips.

Cllr Susan Carey (Con), who is KCC's environment cabinet member, described the changes as "really good news".

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Addressing cabinet colleagues, she said: "The lucky people who live near the two recycling centres can now book on the day.

"There is just a three-hour gap before you can get your first booking."

Cllr Susan Carey

The government announced the extension of mandatory face masks, with people having Covid passes to enter some venues and advice to work from home from next week.

Covid-secure measures were first put in place in the UK after the first national lockdown from March to May 2020 to minimise the risk of transmission.

In Kent, a new online booking system for trips to a tip was created, allowing users to book one trip in any four-week period.

The latest data shows 145,000 visits were made to tips in October, with 51% of all available booking slots taken up.

Cllr Carey added: "I am told the trial is going really well, both with residents and also ease of use for the staff. I think this is really good news."

The tip in Tovil is one to trial the new system

However, KCC's Labour group has called for a hybrid solution, which involves a mixture of online bookings and turning up on the day.

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Cllr Barry Lewis (Lab), KCC's shadow cabinet member for environment, has suggested having five days of online bookings and two days where residents can turn up on the day, including one on the weekend and another in the week.

The Margate member said: "We should not exclude anybody from coming into the tip.

"The same way the restaurant caters for people who do not want to eat meat by having a vegan option."

Residents can book for a slot by clicking here.