A booking system for Kent's waste centres could be kept in place, but it could look different from the strict system imposed during last year's lockdown.

Last year, instead of the free-for-all of turning up when you liked, which sometimes resulted in long queues at the recycling sites, KCC introduced a booking system, with customers required to book a half-hour slot online for their visit.

The measure was introduced to ensure adequate social distancing during the pandemic, but now the authority is considering making the scheme permanent, despite the government's lifting of Covid restrictions, and is asking the public what they think.

KCC's cabinet member for the environment, Susan Carey, said: "The booking system has been one of the ways we have been able to keep visitors and staff safe at our waste transfer sites.

"We know, from people surveyed, that it has proved popular with the majority who have taken part in our questionnaires, but we want to hear from those who may not have shared their thoughts with us before.

"We are therefore canvassing wider views on the booking system and I would like to encourage as many people as possible, no matter the type of experience they have had, to take part in the consultation."

There are 18 waste transfer stations across the county. The proposed booking regime is not as restrictive as when it was first introduced, when there was a limit on the the number of visits that could be made within a certain time-frame.

Now there is no limit to the number of visits that can be made and bookings can be amended or cancelled.

Bookings can be made for the next day and up to a month in advance.

The recycling centre at Tovil in Maidstone used to be particularly badly affected by queues, which at peak periods stretched up Burial Ground Lane and out onto Farleigh Hill, the B2010, causing major traffic delays, leading Tovil Parish Council previously to request the transfer station be re-located.

KCC cites the advantages of staying with the booking system as:

Reduced traffic queueing at the busiest sites

Improvements to air quality as queueing eases

No wasted car journeys (if queues are too long)

People are being more mindful of disposing of waste and making less frequent visits

Less disruption to customers as site maintenance can be planned in accordance with customer demand

Improved communication with customers, for example informing them directly of any potential service issues.

Set against that, there is some anecdotal evidence that fly-tipping has increased thanks to those too impatient to wait for a slot. This month councils joined forces calling for tougher sentences for those who dump rubbish.

In pre-Covid years, 140,000 tonnes of waste were being taken to the 18 waste sites or disposal, with 3.3 million visits

What cannot be recycled is turned into energy and less than 1% is sent to landfill.

A decision on whether to keep the booking system will be taken by KCC’s Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee in October.

The public consultation runs until Thursday, September 30.

You can give your views here.

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