People in the county will be able to use a council's rubbish tips for free after a u-turn on plans to only allow residents from one area to access the sites.

Following the news that Kent County Council would charge residents to use recycling and waste centres, Medway Council had suggested its own centres would remain free but only for people who had ID proof they live in Medway.

The aim was to avoid long queues as people from outside the district tried to drop off their rubbish for free at the household waste and recycling centres in Capstone, Cuxton and Gillingham.

WATCH: Council overturns controversial tip restrictions plans

However, today Medway Council has confirmed Kent residents can use their tips from Monday, June 3, for the next 18 months, avoiding charges for dumping certain waste at tips run by Kent County Council.

The change in policy came about due to ongoing discussions between the two authorities.

Everyone will need to bring one form of ID to use the centres and their full postcodes will be recorded to enable Medway Council to identify and monitor usage by KCC residents.

This ID could be a:

• Council Tax bill from the current Council Tax financial year
• driving licence (a photocard or paper licence will be accepted)
• a utility bill (gas, electric or water) less than a year old
• TV licence less than a year old
• bank or building society statement less than a year old
• benefits award statement less than a year old
• letter from HMRC or the home office less than a year old

Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said: “Medway residents are always at the heart of what we do and we are committed to ensuring that our residents do not have to pay at our recycling centres.

"We are pleased to have come to a pragmatic, sensible agreement with Kent County Council to ensure that our centres will also remain open to residents living in the Kent area.

"This will particularly benefit residents who live on the outskirts of Medway on our boundary with Kent County Council.

“It’s incredibly important to us that we all continue to dispose of our waste responsibly to protect our local environment.

"Allowing KCC residents access to our centres for the next 18 months will give KCC time to bring forward its own facilities to meet the needs of Kent residents.”

Staff at Medway’s HWRCs will ask residents to show their identification at the entrance of each site.

Medway Council will have to make changes to the entrance of its three centres, to ensure the identification process runs smoothly.

Capstone waste and recycling centre, in Shawstead Road, Lordwood centre is currently closed and is anticipated to reopen from Thursday, 30 May.

Further closures to Cuxton Waste and Recycling Centre,in Sundridge Hill, Rochester and Hoath Way waste and recycling centre, in Ambley Way, Gillingham, will be announced in due course.

Medway’s centres offer an easy way to recycle as residents can dispose of more than 30 types of materials including scrap metal, wood and clothing.

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