Grace over for Wirral van drivers - 28 Oct 2009
A one month grace period for van drivers turning up at Wirral Household Waste Recycling Centres ends on Sunday November 1st.On October 1st local waste officers implemented a new Permit Scheme which means those driving vans need a paper Permit to get into the Borough’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).
There was a one month grace period in place for those that turned up at site but hadn’t heard about the scheme which allowed them access, but that is over from Sunday 1 November.
If van drivers or cars with large trailers try to access the Recycling Centres and they don’t have a Permit then they will be turned away.
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.
The three Wirral Recycling Centres are West Kirby, Bidston and Clatterbridge. 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 Director Carl Beer said: “We’re happy with how the first month has gone and our site workers have seen a noticeable dip in the number of vans coming onto 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
NOTE TO EDITORS
- The permit scheme started on October 1st 2009.
- Two types of permits are 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 21 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