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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Charlotte Dobson

New rules limiting the number of times you can go to the tip have caused quite the row. Are people being a bit OTT... or should we be up in arms?

New rules limiting the number of times people can visit the tip have divided opinion across Greater Manchester.

It will mean people are only allowed to use the tip an average of once a week - 52 times a year - from February.

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.

The move is aimed at clamping down on businesses and traders illegally using the waste recycling centres.

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

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

The plans have not gone down well with some Manchester Evening News readers. Others weren't so fussed.

Thousands of people took to the M.E.N's Facebook page to comment on the changes.

Some said the move wasn't fair following the introduction of three-weekly bin collections and smaller wheelie bins by councils across the region.

Read more of today's top stories

Others predicted it would could lead to an increase in fly-tipping.

Jenni Wren said: "So we pay council tax to contribute to refuse collections, which are fewer and fewer, and now we can’t use the tip! Great!"

Gillian Terry added: "It’s not the people going to the tip that are a problem, it’s the people fly-tipping that is a problem.

"We should be encouraging people to go to the tips instead of making it such a hassle."

Mandy Turner Kenyon added: "Not good, really.

"We are always at the tip with our household waste. If the bins were emptied more than once a month, there would be no need."

Others said 52 visits a year should be enough for the average household.

Jennie Ward said: "Why will there be an increase in fly-tipping?

Staff at Sharston tip (Alan Hamer)

"Everyone complaining needs to get a grip. Do you go to the tip more than 52 times a year?!?"

Richard Stafford said: "There might be occasions where you would go three or four times in a day (clearing garden waste, say) but, in general, the majority of people might only go once a month.

"It’s not meant to get at us, it is the unscrupulous man in a van who will charge you a high price to dispose of your rubbish properly and then dump it for free."

Siobhan Waddy posted: "It’s fine.

"It’s not like you need to visit the tip ever day oh every week anyway."

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

They read: "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."

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