Charges possible for non-Dorset residents using Council tips
That could mean long round trips for people near the borders
People living near Dorset county borders could soon be facing longer drives to get to a public tip – or face having to pay a fee.
Neighbouring councils are expected to crack down on residents from adjoining counties using their tips, otherwise known as household recycling centres, as a way to boost income.
Dorset is likely to impose similar measures, apart from in areas where agreements are already in place.
If cross-border bans do come into effect they are most likely to be felt in the north of the county for the tips at Shaftesbury and Sherborne, which are used by Wiltshire and Somerset residents at an estimated cost of £60,000 a year to Dorset council taxpayers.
In the east of the county many residents around the Verwood, Alderholt and Ferndown use Hampshire’s Somerley tip – although a financial deal between the two councils is already in place for that use.
Shaftesbury councillor Jack Jeanes said if Wiltshire residents in the Donheads, Ludwell or Semley were unable to use Shaftesbury, just minutes away from their homes - they could face a 14-mile drive to Warminster or 22 miles to Salisbury to use a Wiltshire tip without any charge.
“It will cause quite an issue… we really don’t want to get stuck in a tit for tat with Wiltshire and what it does for us – such as the Salisbury Red buses which benefit our residents enormously,” he said.
Fellow Shaftesbury councillor Derek Beer, said the town was in a unique situation where its household recycling centre was within a few metres of the Wiltshire border.
“People are saying we won’t be doing much to help the economy if people have to burn up all those miles – we suggest those who live in the SP7 postcode should continue to have access, it’s the same road,” he said.
Alderholt Cllr David Tooke said he would hate to see changes to the arrangement Dorset Council already has at the Somerley tip, with the authority paying Hampshire Council for Dorset residents to us the site.
Hampshire County Council say that 20,000 Dorset households are within a five-mile radius of the site which it had considered closing.
Dorset Council has been paying £285,000 a year for its residents to use household recycling centres at Somerley and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council sites at Nuffield, Christchurch and Millhams.
A £10 fee, per visit, is being suggested by Dorset Council for out of county residents to use Dorset’s tips which would also result in a booking system having to be introduced.
A final decision on the proposal has yet to be made and is likely to be taken in February.