D-Day for Wirral van drivers - 24 Sept 2009
Van drivers turning up at Wirral Household Waste Recycling Centres from next Thursday (October 1st) could be turned back unless they produce a pioneering new permit.Merseyside waste chiefs are counting down to the launch of a crackdown on illegal disposal of trade waste at the three Wirral Recycling Centres.
This means that, from October 1st, anyone using a van or large trailer will need a permit to deposit household waste at West Kirby, Bidston and Clatterbridge Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).
The scheme is designed to end abuse by commercial traders who avoid paying Landfill Tax by disposing their waste at HWRCs – at Wirral Council tax payers’ expense. Those applying for permits only need to supply their name, address and vehicle details to help weed out commercial and trade operators.
Wirral residents using such vehicles at any of these three HWRCs should ring 0151 236 0305 or log onto www.merseysidewda.gov.uk before their next visit. They will then be sent a permit which they can use to get on site.
Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority Deputy Chairperson, Councillor John Salter, said: “The message is clear. If you use a van to visit your local Recycling Centre, you will need a permit from October 1st.
“It’s not a perfect solution, but applying for a permit will be a quick and painless process and it will help end a situation which means council tax payers have to pick up the bill for the illegal behaviour of commercial operators.”
From October 1st, householders delivering waste to Wirral HWRCs by van or a large trailer will need a free permit to use the site.
It is hoped the scheme will also reduce congestion at the three Centres and improve safety by reducing movement of large vehicles.
Householders visiting in ordinary saloon or estate cars/people carriers will not need permits unless they have blanked out windows or permanently removed rear seats. Pick-up trucks will be classed as vans and will need permits.
MWDA will closely monitor this phase of the scheme before deciding whether to roll it out across the rest of Merseyside.
Ends
PICTURE CAPTION - MWDA Deputy Chairperson Councillor John Salter is pictured helping promote the permit scheme at the Bidston Household Waste Recycling Centre.
NOTE TO EDITORS
The permit scheme starts on October 1st 2009.
Two types of permits will be available to Wirral residents. Every householder can apply for Annual Permit. This covers frequently arising waste like garden waste, newspapers, cans etc. If you want to dispose of bulky household items (TVs, furniture, rubble etc) you will need a Temporary Permit. Both Permits are free.
It is easy to apply for a permit over the phone or on the website. Applicants should receive the permit by post within 1-3 days. Each Permit will contain the applicant’s name, address and the registration number of the vehicle they plan to use.
Wirral residents should ring 0151 236 0305 or log on to www.merseysidewda.gov.uk for more details and to get a permit.
Information on the scheme will also be available at all Wirral HWRC sites from 1 September via leaflets and posters, and adverts in local papers and on local radio.
A similar scheme implemented by Cumbria County Council between March and October 2006 saw a 34% decrease in waste sent to landfill and overall savings in disposal costs reported at £628,189 over the period 2005/2006 to 2007/2008. Similarly, Wigan Council saw a 21k tonne (30%) fall in material brought to sites in the first year of their Permit Scheme – a reported saving of approximately £800,000 against contract disposal costs including Landfill Tax.
MWDA is a local government body with nine elected members from the five constituent councils in Merseyside. It organises and manages disposal of all waste collected by the five councils and operates 14 Household Waste Recycling Facilities.
MEDIA INQUIRIES TO JON FLINN AT DHA COMMUNICATIONS:
TEL. 0151 709 0505