Buchan councillors join opposition to HWRC hybrid entry trial

A report which went before members of the Buchan area committee today (Tuesday) over a proposed trial of a hybird entry system at two north-east waste sites saw councillors at the meeting voice opposition to the plan.

At present the system introduced during lockdown to enable sites to be used while maintaining social distancing has seen mixed responses.

A recent survey of over 4000 respondents saw a general support for the system, mostly due to the convenience of time booking, but also dissatisfaction on having to use online systems to do so and the issues being faced by those who could not do this, including a cited example of a wait to do so on the phone measured in hours.

Officers used current useage data and identified six sites which are currently operating at under 60 per cent utilisation, being Banchory 47 per cent, Huntly 43 per cent, Macduff 40 per cent Portlethen 55 per cent, Stonehaven 58 per cent and Turriff 44 per cent and which could potentially be included within a hybrid proposal.

As a result, officers looked at times which were lower in usage and would fit in with operational requirements and it was found that Wednesday afternoons would be appropriate for the opening up of use with Macduff and Stonehaven chosen as the test sites.

Members of the Buchan Committee heard the proposals which have previously been discussed at Banff and Buchan committee last week and which are also being discussed today at the Garioch committee.

Banff and Buchan committee members have voiced very strong opposition to the plan and instead called for the booking system to be removed.

These views were echoed by the Buchan members, with councillor Hannah Powell commenting: "I would like to see the removal of all barriers at sites across Aberdeenshire.

"The 12 month trial being proposed here is excessive and we do not want to end up with another 12 months of a booking system that residents tell us that they do not want."

Councillor George Hall highlighted the issues faced in some locations such as Cruden Bay: "If you have to make more than one trip (to Peterhead) its a 20 minute round trip and you have to try and work out spacings for booking slots.

"This is simply not practical for residents."

Questions were also asked over the 15 minute time period for bookings which it was explained were the best solution as it stopped an early jam of users and then a period of no one being on site.

A motion was put to recommend to ISC that the entry system was removed, which was supported by six votes for, two against and three no votes.

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