THE booking system at Stourbridge tip is set to continue over the summer despite the lifting of restrictions.

Council bosses introduced the booking system for the Household Waste Recycling Centre in Stourbridge at the height of lockdown.

Although lockdown restrictions are lifting from today (Monday July 19) the booking system for the Birmingham Street site will stay in place for the immediate future as authority chiefs say it has helped to cut down on queues and made accessing the site easier and quicker.

It will also allow the authority to ensure that only residents from Dudley borough access the site and help prevent unauthorised traders and businesses from using the community facility.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, Dudley Council's cabinet member for public realm, said: "Although we had a few hiccups to start with, the booking system has worked really well over the last year and has allowed us to make optimum use of the site so people aren’t having to queue for hours at popular times. "There are now plenty of spaces to book and the online system is quick and simple to do.

"While the two-metre rule will no longer be in place we would encourage people to continue to keep their distance and respect other users. People also need to remember that if they turn up to the site without booking first as they will be turned away."

Parking is limited to 11 cars or 5 vans onsite at any one time.

Households aren’t limited to the number of visits, but are encouraged to minimise bookings to one per week where possible to maximise the number of residents that can benefit from the site being open.

One person per car is still recommended although if additional people are required for unloading, this is allowed. No children or pets are advised.

Social distancing is encouraged to help keep staff and visitors safe and people can wear masks if they wish.

No assistance for unloading can be provided and users are asked to sort their waste before arrival.

The re-use shop remains closed at present but it is hoped it will reopen soon.

People can book a slot on the council website via the bins and recycling page.

Standard bulky waste collections for items such as sofas or garden waste can also be booked by calling Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.

For items such as mattresses and carpets, people can call Textek, a company working in partnership with the council to offer discounted rate collections. They can be contacted on 01948 840251.