As from 1st December Herts residents who want to use the Thriplow recycling centre in Cambridgeshire will need to get free permit from Cambridgeshire County Council (from here) and Cambs residents who want to use the Royston recycling centre will need a permit from Herts County Council (from here). Herts residents going to the Royston centre will have to show a driving licence, council tax or utility bill or bus pass.

Whilst it is good that people from both sides of the border will be able to use the most convenient recycling centre this does seem a piece of wasteful and pointless bureacracy.

Interestingly Conservative run Hertfordshire says this is all about saving money, whilst Liberal Democrat led Cambridgeshire says that it is about “supporting residents to recycle as much as possible”.

Central Beds Council have apparently declined to come to an arrangement with Hertfordshire so their residents will not be allowed to use any Herts recycling centres.