Pembrokeshire County Council finally plans to dismantle the booking requirement for waste and recycling centres.

County Council Leader Cllr Tessa Hodgson has confirmed it is the intention of her administration to remove the booking system for Pembrokeshire’s waste and recycling centres (WRCs).

Currently all of the County Council’s waste and recycling tips require a pre-booked slots (with same day bookings available) - something that has been in place since the Covid lockdown.

In contrast, Carmarthenshire County Council, ditched its booking system some time ago, meaning appointments are no longer required for any of its recycling centres.

Cllr Hodgson has asked the Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, Cllr Rhys Sinnett, to work with officers to bring forward a report outlining the options.

Cllr Hodgson said: “Pembrokeshire is consistently one of Wales’ best performing local authorities when it comes to waste and recycling and I thank our staff and the people of Pembrokeshire for helping us continue to improve.

“However, the booking system is an issue that is raised with me time and time again by residents, and so removing the booking system is a priority for me and my administration.

“With modern technology such as number plate recognition and CCTV monitoring, I see no reason why we cannot ensure the sites are used appropriately and safely by Council Taxpayers, while minimising any unauthorised use – without the need for a booking system.

“The current arrangements can be time-consuming and bureaucratic. I believe we can create a system that maintains high standards of waste disposal, provides value for money for taxpayers, and continues to maximise recycling, all without unnecessary bureaucracy.

“It is our administration’s intention that a report is brought to the September Cabinet meeting with a clear plan to remove the booking system from our waste and recycling centres.”

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, Cllr Rhys Sinnett, added: “We know how important it is for residents to have straightforward, convenient access to their local waste and recycling centres, and I welcome this work to explore how we can make that happen.

“Our focus will be on developing a practical, modern approach that improves the experience for residents while maintaining safety, protecting the service from misuse, and continuing to deliver strong recycling performance for Pembrokeshire. I look forward to bringing forward proposals that strike the right balance for our communities.”

Waste and recycling centres are open for Pembrokeshire householders, as well as commercial/ business users.

Before entering your chosen centre, you will need to show a valid ID to the site attendant, such as a driving licence with correct address; utility bill; or Council Tax bill.

Pembrokeshire operates six waste centres, managed directly by the County Council. They are located at Devonshire Drive, near Saundersfoot; Pembroke Dock; Fishguard; Haverfordwest; St Davids; and Hermon.

Many residents have been calling for the scrapping of the booking system for some time, with one stating: “This is great news. It would be so much easier if you could turn up like before Covid without the hassle of looking for a time and date.”