The new booking system at York's Hazel Court tip has been a mixed bag, with both positive and negative outcomes. While the system has been widely adopted by residents, with around 70% of slots booked, it has also caused some issues. One of the main problems is the number of missed appointments by traders, with almost one-fifth of slots missed in the first month. This is a significant issue, as it reduces availability and cannot be easily given to someone else at such short notice. The council's Liberal Democrat opposition raised concerns about the plans at the time, saying they followed a decision to close the site on Wednesdays and could cause more fly-tipping. This is a valid concern, as the closure of the site on Wednesdays could lead to an increase in illegal dumping. The new system was introduced to tackle congestion and queues and improve air quality in the area. However, the fact that almost one-fifth of slots are missed suggests that the system is not yet fully effective in achieving these goals. The council's spokesperson, Yorwaste, said that the day-to-day operations at the site remained stable since bookings launched. However, the number of missed appointments suggests that there are still some issues with the system. The new system also has a limit on the number of trips that businesses can make to the tip, with only two 15-minute slots a day. This has caused some businesses to have to turn down jobs, as seen with Waste Warriors. This is a significant issue, as it limits the ability of businesses to operate effectively. The council's Labour environment spokesperson, Cllr Jenny Kent, said that the system was a sensible solution to tackle congestion and queues and improve air quality in the area. However, the fact that almost one-fifth of slots are missed suggests that the system is not yet fully effective in achieving these goals. The new system also has a limit on the number of trips that households can make to the tip, with only four 10-minute slots a week. This is a significant issue, as it limits the ability of households to dispose of their waste effectively. The Towthorpe site, in Moor Lane, remains available to use without having to book beforehand. This is a good alternative for those who are unable to book a slot or who prefer not to. Overall, the new booking system at York's Hazel Court tip has been a mixed bag, with both positive and negative outcomes. While the system has been widely adopted by residents, it has also caused some issues, such as the number of missed appointments by traders and the limit on the number of trips that businesses and households can make to the tip. The council's spokesperson, Yorwaste, said that the day-to-day operations at the site remained stable since bookings launched. However, the fact that almost one-fifth of slots are missed suggests that there are still some issues with the system. The council's Labour environment spokesperson, Cllr Jenny Kent, said that the system was a sensible solution to tackle congestion and queues and improve air quality in the area. However, the fact that almost one-fifth of slots are missed suggests that the system is not yet fully effective in achieving these goals. The council should consider further improvements to the system to address these issues and ensure that it is effective in achieving its goals.
