Recycling: When will Bracknell recycling centre re-open?

Last week the News reported an increase in people dumping their rubbish in ditches, on pavements, by full-up bins and more places in Bracknell Forest.

Many residents upset with the surge in waste left lying around blamed the closure of the recycling centre on Longshot Lane in response to the coronavirus pandemic as the reason for the rise in fly-tipping.

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Now Bracknell Forest Council leader Paul Bettison says the authority may have no option but to re-open the tip to the public.

He told the News: “Fly-tipping is a very anti-social behaviour at the best of times and right now it is totally reprehensible.

“We are looking right now as a possibility — and I only say that as a possibility — of re-opening the tip.

“The tip is operating but not open to the public — the reason why we chose to close it is because, in the last day of it being open, which was the first weekend of lockdown, there were 1,500 cars in a single day going to the tip.

“That was just crazy. People were not observing social distancing at all.”

The leader said he understood many people were using free time under lockdown to clear out their houses, sheds and garages but told the News residents should remember “going to the tip” is not one of the reasons people are permitted to leave the house.

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But BFC bosses are now asking government officials if it is possible for the recycling centre to re-open.

If the council does get the go-ahead to open the tip’s doors again, waste chiefs are working on plans to manage its use so “we don’t end up with 1,500 cars in a day which we can’t cope with”.

Cllr Bettison added: “We would probably require people to go online and make an appointment at the tip, and there would be so many cars for each hour’s slot.

“You’d be given your hour’s slot and you could turn up with no more than two people in your car, which you might need as there will be no one there to help you unload it, but you then have to arrive within the hour.

“If you miss it you would have to re-book an appointment.

“We would probably have to engage a security company to manage the queues.”

The leader was keen to stress a decision on re-opening the tip is unlikely to come about in the coming days but told the News he was eager to see an end to the fly-tipping issue.

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Fly-tipping can be reported to the council here.

He said: “We understand people do have rubbish they want to get rid of and we want to try and help them get rid of it responsibly.

“We will continue to prosecute for fly-tipping, but if Bracknell News readers see fly-tipping in process and they’re taking pictures of it, please get a picture of the vehicle registration then we can be sure of a successful prosecution.”