THE new booking system for household waste and recycling centres (HWRC) in Hampshire, including Somerley, has come into force.

As part of the system residents have to book 30-minute slots in advance.

Those who have not made a booking will be turned away.

The system has been set up in response to some of the severe traffic congestion seen at many of the county council’s HWRCs when they reopened last month.

Speaking before the new system came into force, councillor Rob Humby, Hampshire County Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and environment, said: “From next week a new booking system is up and running, and we’ll also be operating normal summer hours.

“The system offers more than 30,000 bookings each week, and sites will be open 9am – 6pm every day.

“Therefore, I’m confident that from Monday onwards, with access only allowed by booking for a specific time, we’ll see an end to the lengthy and disruptive traffic queues outside HWRCs.

“We’ve had to set up this system in response to the severe traffic queues we’ve seen at some of the HWRCs since they reopened in May with new social distancing measures in place. The queues at some sites were causing significant problems for nearby businesses or to the safety of others on the roads.”

From Monday all HWRCs also reverted to their normal summer opening hours of 9am until 6pm, seven days a week.

People will be able to book a 30-minute slot up to 48 hours in advance.

Bookings will need to be made online at hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/book-appointment

Telephone bookings, for those without access to the online system, can be made by telephoning 023 8017 9949.

Those wishing to book a slot will need to provide their name, car registration and, for online bookings, an email address. Bookings will be limited to one slot per household per week.