ACCESS to a south Essex rubbish tip will soon be restricted to pre-booked appointments only.

Residents in Rayleigh will no longer be able to turn up to their nearest recycling centre in Castle Road from June 6.

They are being asked to book a specific time slot to attend the site.

Current rules at Essex recycling centres mean only vans, vehicles with trailers and larger vehicles are required to pre-book a time to visit.

But this will change to all vehicles visiting the site in just under one month’s time.

Echo: The recycling centre off Castle Road in RayleighThe recycling centre off Castle Road in Rayleigh

The rules mean:

  • Only one booking a week can be made by residents
  • Bookings are for 15-minute slots and all waste must be disposed of in this time
  • If you miss your slot you will be refused entry and asked to rebook
  • Bookings can be made up to two-weeks in advance
  • The earliest booking available will be after 48 hours when booking is made
  • If the site is temporarily closed during your booking, you can wait and will be given priority access when it reopens

Bosses say walk-ins do not require pre-booked appointments but anyone driving up to the site and attempting to carry waste in on foot will be refused entry.

All bookings can be made online via the Love Essex website. The system will go live on Monday, May 23.

A statement on the website says the new booking system will be introduced to address concerns over traffic near the recycling centre.

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It states: “We have taken this measure following feedback from site users and local residents to address excess queuing and traffic at Rayleigh recycling centre, and on the surrounding roads.

“By trialling a booking system at Rayleigh we hope to improve how we manage this service and reduce queuing at peak times.”

Anyone without internet access is asked to book an appointment at their nearest library.