Booking is now open for West Lothian Council recycling centres

The system has been introduced as part of cost saving measures which have also seen opening times reduced and staffing numbers cut.

Anyone visiting a West Lothian Community Recycling Centre (CRCs) from Monday, 2 October onwards will need to book their visit in advance.

Those wishing to visit any one of the sites next week can reserve a slot. The booking system will be available to allow residents to book a visit up to a week in advance.

You can also book later, including on the day, as long as there are spaces available.

A booking will guarantee you access during a 30-minute time slot. Residents are advised not to arrive before the slot, as they will not be allowed in until their allotted time.

Revised opening times for the five CRCs will also be in place from 2 October, with the busier centres at Oak bank, Whitburn and Blackburn, which account for 85% of all visits, open more than the quieter centres at Broxburn and Linlithgow.

For more details or to book, please visit www.westlothian.gov.uk/crcbooking.

A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “The new booking system will ensure local residents get guaranteed access to all five recycling centres and reduce queuing times.

“The changes to our recycling centres are necessary to allow us to keep all five CRCs open and make the savings we need to help balance our budget gap.

“West Lothian has more recycling centres by population size than most councils in Scotland and our priority was to maintain and avoid closing any sites.

“All councils are facing difficult decisions, as we cannot continue to provide the same level of service when our funding has been reduced. A number of neighbouring authorities have already introduced similar measures to deliver savings and maintain access for local residents.”

Anyone unable to book online should call our customer services team on 01506 280000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday, and select the option to book.

In Linlithgow, the site will be open 10am to 6pm on Tuesdays, 10am to 2pm on Saturdays and 2pm to 6pm on Sundays.