THE booking system to use Fife Council's waste recycling centres will be scrapped for cars from tomorrow (Friday).

After recent easing of Covid restrictions, people driving cars will no longer have to make a reservation however, those with vans and trailers are still required to reserve a slot.

Councillor Ross Vettraino, convener of the council’s environment and protective services sub-committee, explained: “Vans and trailers can take a long time to unload and giving them open access could impede the smooth flow of traffic through the centres, and result in traffic queuing on roads outside the centres.

“The operation of the vehicles, which haul the waste from the centres to the landfill disposal sites, is currently seriously affected by the national shortage of HGV drivers.

"It is important to ensure the smooth flow of waste through the centres, so that the waste containers don’t become full before a haulage vehicle is available to replace the full container with an empty one, which could mean that the centre would have to close."

Nine powered access barriers, costing just over £40,000 in total, have been bought and installed at site entrances that didn't already have them to help control access.

The booking system was introduced during lockdown to help control access to the recycling centres and keep staff and customers safe but with restrictions easing, councillors felt the time was right for it to go.

The decision was confirmed – for 10 out of the 11 centres, it will be kept at Ladybank due to traffic issues – at the sub-committee's meeting on September 2.

The booking system will also remain in place for all vehicles which are designated by the DVLA as commercial vehicles so that site operations can be carried out safely and to ensure environmental compliance.

Fife Council said it will also help prevent waste being disposed of illegally, a practice that was costing them over £1.5 million a year, as well as reduce violence and aggression against staff.

Cllr Vettraino added: "Retaining the booking system for vans and trailers ensures the smooth flow of both vehicles and waste.

“Work looking at creating safe access for cyclists and pedestrians at those sites, where it would be possible to do so, is moving ahead as quickly as possible.”