ANPR barriers will be installed at recycling centres

A booking system was introduced at four Central Bedfordshire Council tips in March

Barriers with an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system will be installed at recycling centres.

Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) introduced 20-minute booking slots at sites in Ampthill, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard and Thorn Turn in March, and the barriers will be in place from 8 October.

The authority said there would be "no change to the current booking process", and residents could continue to make bookings to access a recycling centre, either online or by telephone.

If a vehicle's number plate matches a confirmed booking, the system will open the barrier.

But if there is no valid booking, the vehicle registration does not match, or residents arrive outside of their chosen timeslot, the barrier will remain closed.

The council added there was a "short tolerance" for "slightly early or late arrivals", adding that staff would man the gates initially to "ensure a smooth transition".

"Using barriers will free up site staff to help residents and attend to other duties, such as separating material for recycling, instead of continually checking bookings," it said.

However, Biggleswade West councillor Haley Whitaker voiced frustration with the announcement.

Writing on Facebook, he said: "We were promised a review in the autumn and we haven't seen anything so far.

"CBC logic was the booking system would ensure tidy tips were only used by Bedfordshire residents, that queues and waiting times would be reduced, while giving staff time to help residents and stop the disposal of commercial waste.

"You might expect the executive to hold off spending taxpayer money on barriers and ANPR systems until after the much-promised review. Seemingly not."

In February, the council voted not to reduce opening hours at recycling centres, as it tried to save £35m from its annual budget.