Angry Islanders have called on the Isle of Wight Council to finally scrap its booking requirement at Lynbottom and Afton Marsh tips in response to soaring fly-tipping figures, but that isn’t going to happen says the local authority. However, same-day bookings may soon be introduced…
As previously reported by Island Echo, fly-tipping has increased locally by a whopping 48.6% in just 2 years. In 2019/20 there were 575 recorded incidents, but in 2021/22 that had shot up to 855 – an increase of 280.
Tim Bamford, the Regional Director of the County Land and Business Association, warns that these figures barely scratch the surface of a crime that’s blighting rural communities such as the Isle of Wight as thousands of offences on private land are going unrecorded.
It’s no coincidence that it was in May 2020 – in response to the COVID pandemic – that the Isle of Wight Council introduced the requirement of booking a slot to dump your rubbish at the tip. At the time it was said this was due to social distancing requirements, but when the pandemic waned the restrictions remained – and continue to this day. Some cynical online commentators suggested it was the local authority’s plan to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
It was 15 months ago, in November 2021, that the Isle of Wight Council told Island Echo that it had not decided when, or if, it would be removing the booking system. Then, in February 2022, it said it would be keeping the booking system citing traffic improvements. That position remains the same today.
Scores of comments have been left on social media this week following the publication of Island Echo’s article on the shocking figures with the finger firmly pointing at the Isle of Wight Council as being responsible for this increase.
Comments include:
“I’m sure when the tip introduced a booking system, and cut down their opening times, people on here all said fly-tipping would increase. Funny how everyone else can predict what will happen except those implementing it”.
“Wow what a shocker! The tip opens later, and closes earlier than it ever did. Still using the booking system brought in by COVID restrictions”.
“Having to book appointment at tip is a pain instead of just turning up I’ve been gardening for two days haven’t made an appointment as I don’t know what else i’ll find and don’t want two trips”.
“I don’t condone it [fly-tipping] but I’m not surprised and it’ll only get worse”.
“Make it easier to get rid of properly then won’t happen because it costs more to clean it up!”
There have been some comments in support of the booking system, but those who like the timed approach still say that having to book the day before isn’t practical and they sympathise with those who turn up at the tip to simply be turned away.
However, the Council has revealed to Island Echo that plans are being drawn up to introduce same-day bookings and more than 1 booking a day, making the booking system more flexible for residents.
In a statement, an Isle of Wight Council spokesperson has said:
“The Isle of Wight has one of the lowest rates of fly-tipping in the whole of the South East, as verified by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which monitors such incidents across the country (see map below).
“In 2019/20, the Island recorded the lowest levels of fly-tipping in recent years thanks, in part, to a series of highly successful campaigns led by the Isle of Wight Council in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy aimed at tacking fly-tipping in the community and raising awareness of the risks and penalties. This included ‘Crime Not to Care’ which focused on using licenced waste carriers.
“The first national lockdown introduced in March 2020 led to a significant reduction in fly-tipping as people followed national guidance to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
“In 2020/21, following the introduction of the booking system to keep people safe, the total number of fly-tips (749) was broadly comparable to 2018/19 (727) — evidence that the booking system is not the primary reason for fly-tipping. This was again evidenced in 2021/22 when the Island recorded 855 incidents of fly-tipping which is comparable to 870 in 2016/17 and 827 in 2017/18, both of which pre-date the booking system.
“A number of unsolicited compliments have been received from members of the public who find the booking system more convenient and a better customer experience — indeed, more than 85 per cent of people who took part in our recent customer survey said they were happy with our HWRC service, with the majority supporting the booking system.
“The system allows site staff to plan operational activities with confidence, while residents can book a slot at a convenient time, safe in the knowledge they will be able to attend the site efficiently and not wait in a queue to get in.
“The severe queuing outside the Lynbottom HWRC has also been eliminated since the introduction of booking slots, leading to a reduction in traffic issues along Briddlesford Road.
“It is easy to make a booking by going online www.iow.gov.uk/hwrcbooking/ or calling 823777. The council is also planning to introduce both same day bookings and more than one booking a day, making this popular and essential service even more flexible and convenient for our residents.”
The booking system works well, maintains a sensible traffic flow, and will be greatly improved by same day booking. The deeper problem across the community seems to be an increased ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude with a total lack of empathy and respect for anyone else or their property amongst a seemingly growing minority of selfish islanders.
You are spot on. It’s a “couldn’t care less” attitude. People are becoming increasingly aggressive and unpleasant. I think the booking system is excellent, although increased opening hours would not hurt.
If it aint broke don’t fix it. If people cant be arsed to book a slot, you will still get fly tipping.
Too little too late. Any booking system is just a barrier to people using the tip. Why are they so intransigent I wonder?
I think the booking system is an excellent idea. People are too lazy to be bothered – which is pretty strange considering many are welded to their smartphones and could book so easily.
That maybe your opinion,but the facts show that people will fly tip rather than book. Remove the barriers and make it easier.
Exactly, just wasting money on system and a Worker standing there checking number plates all day, council says needs cut backs -so let us go when we need, it’s ok for retired and unemployed who can potter around and plan ahead, most of us have busy lifestyle.
It’s sometimes the cowboy waste clearers who take money off customers to clear their waste only to dump it because they don’t want to pay the commercial waste charges. Plus a few lazy chavs who haven’t the brains to go to the tip because it’s easier to chuck it in a hedge. Plus any old excuse to be disorganised. It takes about three minutes to sign in to the council tax account and book a slot but I suppose some don’t bother to pay their council tax so they won’t be able to. Just want everything provided for them for free.
For once the council have got something just about right. Try being on the mainland. Most councils operate a vehilcle check to ensure you are not from the next county even though that may be the nearest tip.
Mainland tips also have hefty charges for wood, pottery, ceramics, rubble, amongst other things. We are SO lucky to be free of these additional costs.
Not the East Midlands, there’s is still free! Even asbestos!
There needs to be some – just turn up times as well.
Booking to go to a dump.For gods sake remove these silly covid restrictions like most other councils across England.I have sympathy for people who can’t get rid of their rubbish when they want and so have to resort to other means.They think it’s one in the eye for the council.Can’t go to the dump when I want then clear this up!!
“and so have to resort to other means” .. what ,.. like booking a time,.. it’s not exactly rocket science LOL
I don’t think the problem with fly tipping is significantly made worse by the queueing system for non-trade refuse.
The main issue is the fees being charged by the council for disposal of refuse by the people who dispose of other people’s domestic refuse which then becomes treated as commercial and therefore incurs a fee. There is a considerable temptation, by less than honest people, to avoid paying to tip such refuse legally and instead to tip illegally by fly tipping and thus leaving others to pick up the bill.
The booking system works really well and you have no queues of traffic waiting to get in. Fly tippers are just dam right lazy gits who don’t give a hoot about what they do. No care for the environment or anyone else !!!
Not all retired people can plan a booking easily. My wife is a stroke survivor and when you could just turn up I could put the stuff in the car and pop into Lynbottom when I had the chance. I can’t always get my wife ready for a specific time, and she doesn’t walk very well and I can’t leave her alone. I turned up late on one occasion and was told I couldn’t go in.
Maybe it would be a good idea to allow both booking for those who want to and allow those in this position to go when they can, surely this is possible!