Long queues for online booking slots as Kent and Medway recycling centres plan to open
10:54, 13 May 2020
updated: 13:57, 13 May 2020
Thousands of people have faced long queues as the online booking system for the tips go live.
It comes as waste and recyling centres in Kent begin to reopen after closing in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.
All of the county's tips will reopen on Friday, with people having to book a slot to get in.
Booking times were released at 11am, with some joining queues behind 9,000 people with in the first 15 minutes.
A reduced timetable and strict measures have been put in place to minimise the risk of visitors and staff spreading Covid-19.
Those wanting to dispose of emergency waste will now have to book a time slot by visiting the the new portal.
Andrea Waite lives in Borstal near Rochester and was able to join a queue through Medway's website at 10.30am.
She said: "During lockdown, I have been able to do all the jobs that I simply didn't have time to do while working full-time and taking my children to their activities.
"My whole life has revolved around the bin men, who are doing a fantastic job, but many things need to go to the tip.
"I'm waiting with anticipation for the booking slots to open."
Andrea joined with just 1,244 people in front of her and after making it under 1,000 she lost her spot and was sent to the back behind 18,000 other people.
By 1pm she had given up waiting altogether.
She said: "The queuing on the website has been a complete nightmare. I don't know if I made a mistake by trying to do it on my phone and I should have done it on the computer but it said I wouldn't lose my place in the queue.
"But evidently I did lose my place and just waited and waited. I could see I was about 700 in the queue then all of a sudden it refreshed and I ended up being something like 18,000. I've given up."
To book slots you can visit the Kent County Council website or Medway Council site.
