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27
Apr
Residents won't be turned away as new tip restrictions come into force
Council officials will spend the first few weeks of a new household waste registration scheme “informing residents”, rather than turning them away.
New restrictions on sites across North Yorkshire came into force today (April 27), which mean motorists need to register their name, address and vehicle before visiting any of the 20 centres in the county.
This includes two in Harrogate and one each in Ripon and Pateley Bridge.
North Yorkshire Council said the move will ensure the sites are used by North Yorkshire residents who fund the service, and reduce visits from people outside the county, who currently account for about one in six users and cost the taxpayer up to £400,000 a year.
The Penny Pot Lane household waste recycling centre in Harrogate.
However, in a press release issued this morning, the council said it will aim to inform residents about the restrictions for the first few weeks.
Instead, it will “focus on informing and supporting visitors about the new scheme” rather than turning residents away unnecessarily in order to give them time to adjust to the changes.
Cllr Richard Foster, executive councillor for managing our environment, said:
We want to ensure that as many people as possible have registered their vehicle before turning up to a recycling centre to avoid delays.
We also want to address concerns around fly-tipping following the introduction of the scheme and provide reassurance that data from other authorities has shown this isn’t the case.
We take a zero-tolerance approach to anybody who fly tips, and we will always seek to prosecute those responsible.
In our case, we are not even asking people to book a visit. Once registered, residents can come and go freely during opening hours.
The new rules will improve access, reduce misuse, and ensure we are operating the centres efficiently and fairly.
The council said registration “is free, takes a couple of minutes, and lasts for three years”.
Owners of commercial-like vehicles will be restricted to 12 free visits per year to dispose of household waste once registered.
The council said this aimed to prevent it from “inadvertently accepting commercial waste free of charge, while still supporting residents who own larger vehicles”.
How do I register?
The council said registration “is free, takes a couple of minutes, and lasts for three years”.
You can register online here from today (April 27) and use the centres straight away. Nothing will be sent in the post, and staff will check number-plates on arrival.
Those without internet access can call the council on 03001 312131, or visit a library or council office for help.
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