From February, there will be limits on how many times you can go to the tip - and your number plate will be logged to make sure you don't break the rules

New rules which mean you're only allowed to use the tip on average once a week are set to be introduced across Greater Manchester next year.

If you're a van driver, it will be once a month.

Automatic number plate recognition cameras will be used to log drivers' details and keep track of how many visits people have made.

Going to another tip in a neighbouring borough will count towards your total.

It's aimed at clamping down on businesses and traders illegally using the waste recycling centres.

From next year the number of tip visits you're allowed to make will be restricted (Alan Hamer)

The rules will come into force on February 20 in every borough in Greater Manchester, except Wigan which already runs a permit system.

Members of the public who visited tips over Christmas have been given a leaflet outlining the changes.

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They say: "To deter traders we are introducing limits on the number of times household waste recycling centres can be used by residents of Greater Manchester (excluding Wigan) each year, dependent on the type of vehicle used.

"The limit will still give you plenty of access to dispose of and recycle your household waste.

"The purpose of the limit is to stop businesses using household waste recycling centres, not prevent residents from visiting."

Van drivers will be limited to between 12 and 18 tip trips a year (Alan Hamer)

Cars and cars with single axle trailers will limited to 52 tip runs per year.

If you're using a double axle trailer you can go 18 times a year, as can vans weighing to to 3.5 tonnes, but vans weighing more than that can only go once a month.

It comes after Suez UK took over the £1bn contract to run the region's 20 waste recycling centres in June.

A report which went before Greater Manchester Combined Authority seeking approval for the new regulations states every neighbouring local authority already runs a permit system, and Greater Manchester's lack of restrictions 'will currently be contributing to movement of trade waste into the GMCA sites from these areas and therefore needs to be addressed'.

The number plate database will rank vehicles in a traffic light system - green for those that are not flagged for investigation, to red for those identified as traders or who have exceeded the limits.

Anyone who flashes up 'red' will not be allowed to use the tip and will 'redirected to a third party facility'.

In a statement GMCA said: "GMCA are introducing the new access restriction policy at all of our 20 household waste recycling centres in response to continuous illegal use of the sites by traders and businesses who are disposing of their waste for free.

"This illegal activity increases operating costs that are passed on to councils.

"Greater Manchester is one of the only local authority areas that currently do not operate a permit system or similar restriction at the HWRCs.

"The new policy will be introduced in February 2020 and will use automatic number plate recognition and vehicle load checks to stop traders from using the sites.

"Traders will be redirected to licenced waste facilities where they should pay for their waste disposal.

"The limits on the number of visits allowed has to be implemented to all visitors; residents and traders alike to allow us to identify traders illegally using the sites.

"The limit for a standard car has been set at a level that means that residents disposing of household waste should not be impacted by the changes."