From this morning (Wednesday, January 14) visitors to a household waste recycling centre must book a slot online beforehand.
Bookings are available up to two weeks in advance or 30 minutes prior, subject to availability. After making the booking, a confirmation email with all the necessary details will be sent.
This will explain what to do if you have any chargeable waste and your weekly free allowance.
READ MORE: Controversy in town after Union flags raised at major junction
The new scheme has received some criticism with Witney councillor Thomas Ashby calling it “completely nuts”.
The Conservative said: “In all seriousness, it’s completely nuts, and I do hope, that in time, the Council does reconsider as other councils have done elsewhere.
“I imagine we will sadly see an increase in fly-tipping.”
Visitors to any recycling plant must now bring proof of address, such as a driving licence.
People who do not live in Oxfordshire will need to pay £15 per visit to use a household waste and recycling centres in the county.
Ardley Fields Recycling Centre near Bicester
Payment will be taken upon arrival, and an additional charge will be applied for all DIY waste.
Mr Ashby isn’t the only person who believes that the changes will lead to an increase in fly-tipping, with users on social media also fearing the impact.
One person commented that they had spotted and reported a fly tipped mattress outside Carterton on Monday, January 12.
Household Waste Recycling Centre at Redbridge (Image: Ed Nix)
Although the changes hadn’t yet come into force, they reckoned it was “pretty evident” that there would be a rise in the crime, with the impact on local dump Dix Pit.
Considering the fears, a spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: “Some residents may be concerned that a booking system could cause fly-tipping to increase.
“However, an independent study carried out in 2022 revealed there was no evidence that the introduction of one led to an increase in fly-tipping.”
Other changes coming into force include that the number of permitted visits is set to be reduced from 12 to 10 per year.
Missed a copy of the Oxford Mail you wanted? Here’s what to do https://t.co/n1aacoWEDF
— Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) May 13, 2024
All trailers will require a permit, and must be no longer than 2.4 metres in total length and vehicles registered to a business, used for work, or displaying business branding or signage will not be permitted.
Additionally, horseboxes and horsebox vans will no longer be permitted.
Oxfordshire County Council operates seven household waste recycling centres across the county: Alkerton (Banbury), Ardley Fields (Bicester), Dix Pit (Stanton Harcourt), Drayton (Abingdon), Oakley Wood (Wallingford), Redbridge (Oxford) and Stanford in the Vale (Wantage).