An MP has blasted plans to keep a booking system in place for household recycling centres in Kent.

Kent County Council has revealed the booking system - introduced during the pandemic - is set to stay permanently after a "large response" to a public consultation held last year.

But South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay says he is against the decision, arguing recycling centres "present no risk" of spreading Covid.

On Twitter this morning, he wrote: "Sorry Kent County Council, I’m against this decision.

"These outdoor sites present no risk and doubt ever did, however can appreciate this was basis for booking system over Covid period.

"Retail and staff continued throughout and huge thanks to them, why big change needed? Revert to usual please."

But other social media users have challenged his opinion, saying they favour the booking system as it helps reduce queuing.

Christopher Tipping responded: "My experience is the booking system works really well! I much prefer it. I think the staff do too. What’s not to like? What are your objections?"

Another added: "Your constituents were asked and the majority were in favour of the booking system. Comparison to retail is irrelevant.

"It's not just a Covid safety decision. Bookings make it easier, less queuing and I would think better for the staff who work there."

Another said: "I think this is a good decision. It removes large queues at peak times, and makes total time on site much less. Nothing to do with Covid, purely down to efficiency."

Susan Carey, KCC's Cabinet Member for Environment, took the decision to keep the booking system following a report to the authority's Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee yesterday, when members voted in favour of the recommendation to retain the system and to introduce 'on the day' bookings at all 18 household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) in Kent.

She said the public response to the KCC consultation was "the largest that any of us can recall".

Around 52% of 10,000 people voted in favour of maintaining the booking system, with 48% against, during a consultation in August and September 2021.

“Whilst a consultation is not a referendum, there was a clear margin in favour of those who felt positive about keeping the booking system," she said.

She added: “The booking system was introduced as an emergency measure to keep visitors and staff safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s been changed in response to customer feedback with slots now available at half-hourly intervals and no limit to the number of bookings that can be made on one day or up to a month in advance.

“As well as minimising the time spent queuing to access a site, the booking system has brought environmental, operational and communication benefits. I’m very pleased with the level of support it has received in the consultation.”

Supporters say the online system reduces queuing at the sites and the risk of contamination. They add the service is cheaper to run and safer to use.

In the consultation, around 268 people voted in favour of a hybrid solution.

During yesterday's meeting, KCC's Labour group tabled an amendment during today's meeting to have a "hybrid" system in place.

Under this, online would operate on four days of the week from Wednesdays to Saturdays and in-person on three days from Sundays to Mondays.

Other members disagreed. Maidstone North East county councillor Ian Chittenden (Lib Dem) added: "I think that is a recipe for chaos and total confusion for residents."

Meanwhile, Cllr Tony Hills (Con), of Romney Marsh, described the current booking system as a "smooth operation".

He added: "I think the hybrid system would be very confusing to the public. At the moment we have peace and tranquillity with the online service."

The motion was voted down by county councillors due to a lack of clear consistency and the "confusing" nature for residents to use.

Eleven county councillors voted in favour of maintaining the online system, with only four against.

KCC has now successfully trialled ‘on the day’ bookings at HWRCs at Folkestone, Maidstone and New Romney.

They will now be extended to all household recycling centres in a phases, during February and March.