COVID-19 precautions at West Sussex’s Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRS) to maintain social distancing have unavoidably reduced the number of visitors safely on site at any one time.
This has led to significant congestion and queueing on our Highway Network at certain sites and at times the police have advised closure of sites for road safety reasons.
The council say 'It is likely that lockdown measures will be eased just at the time that the annual “spring surge” in demand to use sites picks up'.
West Sussex County Council is therefore considering a trial of a booking system at five sites across West Sussex.
Residents would be able to go online or call to select a specific time slot to visit the sites which will reduce waiting times and prevent queues on nearby roads and inconvenience to neighbouring residents and businesses.
The proposal is for the trial to cover the Bognor Regis, Crawley, Horsham, Littlehampton and Shoreham-By-Sea sites from mid-March. The proposal will be scrutinised by the Environment and Communities Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 3 March.
The introduction of a booking system will reduce pressure on the selected HWRSs when lockdown restrictions are lifted. At the moment, residents are asked to only visit the sites for essential reasons, where they are unable to safely store recycling or waste at home. As the restrictions ease, it is anticipated more people will want to use the sites.
Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “A booking system would allow us to provide a fair and equal service to all residents and also help reduce pressure on HWRSs as lockdown restrictions are lifted. Similar booking systems have been implemented in other areas, such as Hampshire, and have successfully improved the experience of using HWRSs for residents, as well as helping to manage the demand on the system.
“It should also have a positive impact on those living or operating businesses close to a Household Waste Recycling Site. Traffic would be more evenly spread across the day rather than peaking at certain times. Reduced queues would also help to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles visiting the sites and mean a smoother and quicker visiting experience for residents."
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