‘Bognor Regis needs a better rubbish tip’

Paul Wells is calling on West Sussex County Council to review the opening hours at the town’s household waste and recycling site (HWRS) and a return to a seven-day operation at the facility in Shripney Road.

He believes the shortened opening hours and reduced opening days are the reason for large queues forming on the A29 leading to the tip causing problems for nearby businesses as well as residents wanting to drop off their waste.

Paul has set up an online petition calling on the county council to revert back to a seven-day operation and also look at a more suitable and sustainable site within the Bognor Regis area for a HWRS fit for purpose and able to accommodate the town’s growth.

It also requests WSCC provide a recycling shop within a new site.

This comes as the county council is set to introduce a booking system trial at six of its sites including Bognor Regis. Under this system residents will be limited to one visit per week maximum.

Paul said: “Increased fly tipping in the community is a direct result of reduced hours and opening days at our facility in Bognor Regis. The introduction of a booking system is only going to add more frustration for local residents.

“It’s time WSCC started taking notice of the residents’ views and deliver a service fit for purpose. The current arrangements are unsustainable for the community. Although I stood down from being a local councillor two years ago I’m so incensed by some of the decisions being taken now over the tip and other issues I’ve decided to put myself up as a candidate for Bersted in the forthcoming elections for WSCC.”

A spokesperson for West Sussex County Council said: “We are committed to making it as easy, fair and safe as possible for residents to recycle and access our household waste recycling sites. We are introducing a number of measures to reduce queues, take pressure off nearby roads and save residents time when visiting our sites, including the site at Bognor Regis.

“We have extended our summer opening hours this year to begin today (Friday 12 March). This means the Bognor Regis site will be open five days a week from 8:30am (9am on weekends) to 6pm. In addition we are implementing a trial booking system at the site which will help reduce the site’s impact on nearby highways, businesses and residents.

“We are aware of the limitations of the current location of the Bognor site and have been investigating the feasibility of relocating the site. However, cost estimates for this runs to many millions of pounds, were a suitable site able to be found.

“We will review these measures regularly and invite feedback from residents once the new booking system trial has started.

“The cost to open the HWRS network seven days per week would be an extra £1.35million per year, across the county.

“Residents are reminded that at this present time we are still in lockdown and our sites are open for essential trips only.

“For more information please visit: www.westsussex.gov.uk/hwrs.”

To view the petition click here.