Residents could have to book an appointment before visiting Southport tip, and face a cap on the number of trips they make each year, under proposals now out for public consultation.
Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA), which runs the region’s 16 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) including the Southport site on Foul Lane, is consulting on four changes to how residents use the tips.
The consultation runs until 22 September 2026.
The four proposals are:
– Merseyside residents only – users would have to show proof of address, such as a driving licence or Council Tax bill, on arrival
– Annual visit limits – a cap on the number of visits each vehicle could make per year, with no figure yet proposed
– A booking system for every visit – all vehicles, including cars, would need to book a timeslot before turning up
– No mixed waste – recyclable and non-recyclable waste would have to be separated before arrival, with mixed bags no longer accepted
The current arrangements have been in place since 2009, and cars and small trailers can currently visit any Merseyside tip as often as they like, without an appointment. Only vans and large trailers must book, and they are limited to 12 visits a year.
MRWA says no decisions have been made, and that any changes would not come in before June 2029, when the current contract with operator Veolia is replaced. Trials could run earlier if the authority’s members approve the proposals. Using the tips would remain free for Merseyside residents.
The authority says the changes are aimed at traders abusing the sites, queues at busy times, and people from outside Merseyside using a service they do not pay for. Its vehicle registration data shows more than 1,800 vehicles visited Merseyside tips over 52 times in a single year, which it says suggests trade waste is being brought in disguised as household rubbish.
The region’s tips handle about three million visits a year, and MRWA expects demand to grow, with Merseyside’s population forecast to rise by about 200,000 by 2037 as a result of planned housing growth.
MRWA says a booking system would spread visits across the day and cut queues, and that same-day bookings, phone bookings for people without internet access, and a grace period for late arrivals are all intended to be part of the design.
The consultation comes as MRWA reviews all of its waste services before the 2029 contract renewal. The authority’s latest annual report shows the tips are the strongest part of the region’s recycling effort, with a recycling rate of 67.51% at HWRCs against a stagnant overall rate of about 35% across Merseyside. The authority spent £77m in 2024/25, funded by a levy on the six district councils, including Sefton.
MRWA says responses will be independently analysed before any recommendations go to the authority’s members, who will make the final decision.
Residents can complete the questionnaire online at merseysidewda.gov.uk.