Petition launched urging Shropshire Council to scrap controversial household waste booking system

The Liberal Democrats on Shropshire Council have said the controversial new booking system for Household Recycling Centres, was 'using a sledgehammer to crack a nut' and makes no financial sense.

The booking system was introduced by the authority in November. 

The Conservative-controlled council said the system would reduce the number of people using county services who were not residents, cutting costs.

They also said it would Improve safety, as well as reduce congestion and queuing times.

However, Liberal Democrat councillors say that of the 18,000 people who responded to their consultation, 59 per cent of residents opposed the introduction of the booking system, and only a quarter supported it.

Councillor Alex Wagner from the group is now arguing that the additional administrative cost means that the scheme will not save what the administration claim it will.

He has also launched a petition calling on the Conservatives to think again and go back to the old system. 

He said: "This policy is a classic case of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. The aim is to stop a handful of people from out of the county using our service. 

"The reality is that thousands of ordinary Salopians are inconvenienced on a regular basis for little benefit.

"The argument about savings simply doesn't hold up, particularly in Shrewsbury where there was no significant problem to speak of in the first place. 

"The cost of introducing a whole new layer of administration cannot possibly be justified by the perceived benefits of the scheme. 

"That's why Liberal Democrat councillors have launched a petition, calling on the Conservatives to get rid of this ridiculous bureaucracy and go back to the old system. 

"I would urge anyone who wants to send a message to the council administration to sign and show their support for the campaign."

It can be signed online at shrewsburylibdems.org/scrap-tip-bookings.