SOUTHEND is seeing “significant problems” with flytipping because of a recycling centre booking policy elsewhere in Essex, a councillor has claimed.

Essex County Council introduced its booking system earlier this year requiring people to choose a time to attend its recycling centres.

St Laurence ward Lydia Hyde said she was concerned people from neighbouring Rochford may be flytipping in Southend.

It comes as Brentwood Council demanded the recycling centre policy to be scrapped after it heard an increase in fly-tipping were “directly linked to it” – which Essex County Council denies.

Ms Hyde said: “This is causing significant problems in Southend too, as bordering with Rochford district. It is our roads that are traveled along to those Essex dumps.

“We end up with the fly tipping issues from Rochford residents suffering with this system, who simply give up trying to get in and dump it at the roadside here.

“In my ward, we have this on a daily basis, seeing vehicles come over Warner’s bridge to drop off their waste at the recycling and refuse area outside the flats here.

“As councillors, councillor Daniel Cowan and I have held several meetings with the estate management teams to address as much as we can, including upping the frequency and installing bigger bins, but residents are still left frustrated as all sorts of bulky waste is piled up in their front communal garden.

“It’s deeply unfair to these residents, who simply want to enjoy their home and live somewhere clean and tidy.”

The authority previously said during the pilot of bookings for vehicles using Rayleigh Recycling Centre, they had “no reports” of increased fly-tipping incidents in the county linked to the trial.

They added there is “no excuse” for fly-tipping and are “committed to working with councils, the environment agency and other enforcement bodies in Essex to ensure the appropriate investigations and action is taken against those that choose to fly-tip”.

Southend has not introduced the booking system to its waste disposal centres.

They ask users to show proof of address to show they are city residents and are paying for the service.

Meg Davidson, Conservative councillor responsible for environment, said: “We have seen far too much fly-tipping around the place and certainly in Southend. Because of this, we don’t want to do anything that will lead to more fly-tipping.

“As a result, we are trying to make it as easy as possible for people to dispose their rubbish.”

County Hall response - flytipping claim is an 'assumption' 

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “There is never any justification for fly tipping. It is a criminal offence that can result in prosecution.  We are committed to working with councils, the Environment Agency and other enforcement bodies in Essex to ensure the appropriate investigations and action is taken against those that choose to fly tip.

“Throughout the initial pilot of bookings for large vehicles and for all vehicles using Rayleigh Recycling Centre, we received no reports of increased fly-tipping incidents in the county linked to the booking trial.

"It is an assumption that fly tipping is related to the ECC booking trial and that Rochford residents are carrying out this fly tipping. Fly tipping rates change over time and fly tipping does not typically occur because of lack of reasonable access to recycling centres. Those that chose to fly tip rather than dispose of waste responsibly are often trying to avoid the cost of trade waste disposal or are operating illicit waste clearance services to householders.

"We are not receiving reports of residents with issues getting booking slots at Rayleigh Recycling Centre and our figures are showing availability both during the week and at weekends.

“National studies carried out by DEFRA last year also did not identify any link between booking systems and fly tipping.

“Same-day bookings have been available to residents since the booking system launched in March and are available at all recycling centres in Essex. Residents can book as little as 15 minutes in advance of their visit.

“We have increased capacity at our recycling centres, and we are now offering around 50,000 bookable slots across the county every week. This remains under review.

“We believe that by removing any barriers to access through offering same day bookings, and by offering nearly 50,000 booking slots at recycling centres per week in the summer months, there is no excuse for fly tipping.

“The booking system at Essex recycling centres is a trial, lasting for nine months from March 2023. It will be frequently reviewed to ensure it is working efficiently, whilst amendments can be made if necessary.”