PEOPLE wanting to visit the household waste and recycling centre at St Austell from Monday, December 9, will have to use a booking system.

Cornwall Council says it is bringing in the system at the Menear Road site as part of a trial move to reduce waiting times and improve road safety at waste and recycling centres.

Those needing to use the site can book a 30-minute slot via the council website or by calling 0300 1234 141. Phone lines open at 10am on Wednesdays, and 9am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and close at 6pm.

The council says people can book for the same day, if there are spaces available, or up to a week in advance.

Those making a booking will need to complete some personal details and then select a time, a date and the St Austell site. When booking, people must enter the registration number for the vehicle they will be using to visit the site.

Once a person has booked a slot, they will receive an email confirming the booking.

People will need to arrive in the vehicle they booked for.

The booking system is being trialled at the St Austell site after being introduced elsewhere in the county, including at Saltash.

Councillor Carol Mould, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, said: “We have seen such a positive impact that we have decided to extend the trial.

“It’s quick and easy to book a slot and residents can select a time that works for them. More than 50,000 bookings have been made since we started the trial at Newquay, Saltash and St Erth, and more than half of those bookings were made on the day.

“The feedback we have received from people who have booked slots has been overwhelmingly positive. The booking system has dramatically reduced queues and waiting times, and improved road safety.”

The St Austell site is operated by contractor Suez on behalf of the council and is open every day except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.