A planned booking system for visiting recycling centres run by Essex County Council has met with backlash from Saffron Walden residents.
From Monday, March 13, residents visiting the county council's recycling centres will need to book in advance.
A booking system will be trialled for all vehicles to help manage waiting times, reduce congestion and improve the customer experience.
The process has already been trialled for all vehicles using Raleigh Recycling Centre, and also for large vehicles using the nine van-friendly sites.
Both trials have been found to reduce queues and congestion, however several residents have slammed the scheme.
One Saffron Walden resident described the plans as "madness", and said: "I use the facility at Saffron Walden about once a month.
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"It is never crowded and I drive straight in. I have never in all the years had to queue and even if I did this there is plenty of space to queue without causing a problem.
"Booking is so inconvenient that I will no longer be using this service.
"This will dramatically increase fly tipping enormously."
Another resident said: "I’ve very rarely queued to access Saffron Walden recycling centre.
"Those without internet access will not be able to book, missing a 15 min slot will lead to wasted journeys and pre-booking means the end of the ad hoc trip coupled with a trip to other services nearby.
"Overall it means more car journeys, more traffic, and a concentration of use at the weekend."
Residents will be able to book their slots in advance at https://www.loveessex.org/news-and-ideas/recycling-centre-bookings.
Site users visiting by foot do not need to book a slot, and nor do Blue Badge holders.
Cllr Malcolm Buckley, ECC cabinet member for waste reduction and recycling, said: "The booking system trials at both Rayleigh Recycling Centre and the van-friendly sites have been well-received by residents.
"The sites have been less congested, and we’ve been able to reduce the misuse of sites by vehicles carrying commercial waste.
"Residents will continue to be encouraged to switch off their engines when waiting to access the recycling centres.
"We will monitor the trial to measure its success and can make amendments as necessary."
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