Appointment system at Hartlepool Waste facility to end on September 4th, putting an end to four years of frustration for locals

System introduced as part of savings measures by Hartlepool Borough Council to be scrapped in September after new Labour council SCRAPS the scheme....

24th August 2024

(Author : HBC Exposed)

Hartlepool Borough Council's announced the highly debated appointment system at the Burn Road household waste recycling facility will finally end on September 4th, putting an end to four years of public frustration.

The system, introduced by the former Conservative/Independent Coalition, was originally meant to be a temporary measure. However, it was permanently implemented four years ago as part of a cost-saving strategy aimed at reducing the council's budget by around £70,000 annually.

The appointment system quickly became a lightning rod for criticism with many town councillors and local residents arguing that it created unnecessary hurdles for those trying to access the recycling centre.

Some even blamed the rise in fly-tipping across the town on the difficulty of booking a slot to visit the site, claiming that the cumbersome system discouraged proper waste disposal.

The decision to abolish the scheme, championed by the town's Labour Group, has been met with widespread approval from members of the public. However, council officials have warned that this move could lead to increased operational costs and potential traffic congestion on Burn Road during peak times.

Despite these concerns, Labour said to have stuck to its election pledge, and the council has now confirmed that the appointment system will officially be scrapped on September 4th, 2024.

To address ongoing concerns, its claimed additional checks will be implemented to vehicles accessing the site to ensure that only public vehicles, not trade vehicles, are using the waste facility.

The Hartlepool waste recycling facility will continue to operate from Wednesday to Sunday, but from the 4th Sep, operating without the burden of pre-booked appointments, making it easier for residents to manage their waste responsibly.