Household Waste Recycling Centre appointments system to end from September

The decision will remove the requirement for residents to book online before visiting the facility in Burn Road.

The appointments systems will, however, remain in place until week commencing 2nd September to allow Council officers to make the necessary arrangements to enable the centre to revert back to open access safely.

The Neighbourhood Services Committee also agreed that the operation of the site should remain under review for the next 12 months.

The appointments system was introduced in spring 2020 as part of savings proposals considered by the Council at that time, and it was also seen as a way of stopping commercial operators and residents from outside the Borough of Hartlepool disposing of waste at the site.

Some people have supported the system, saying it works well and makes visiting the HWRC a much more positive experience

But others have criticised it, arguing that the booking system is obstructive - as acknowledged by the Council's recent Big Conversation consultation event.