It's been confirmed the new booking system for visits to the dump will start on 24 November. Rye residents will have to book either online or by phone to use the Mountfield site near Battle - or any other sites in the county.
East Sussex County Council's decision to start a booking system, made in February, was not without opposition, as the vast majority of about 6,000 people responding to the council’s public consultation opposed the booking proposal.
ESCC says the new system will help prevent misuse of its sites by commercial traders and the sites’ use by out-of-county residents, saving the council £50,000 a year. ESCC also points out that booking will help manage queues at peak times at its busiest sites and improve operations and safety.
It says other councils initially encountered resistance but the public later grew used to booking systems for dumps.
Neighbouring counties Kent and West Sussex already operate a booking system, with Kent now charging a £10 fee for use of a recycling site by out-of-county residents. This charge is thought to have deterred Rye residents from using the larger New Romney dump.
In comparison to New Romney, the Mountfield site is very small and can become congested.
It will continue to be free to dispose of household waste, including up to two bags of hardcore, soil or plasterboard per week — although charges apply for greater amounts of these three items (plus asbestos).
More information about East Sussex County Council’s household waste services can be found here.
