'I was sceptical but it actually works really well' - Hastings and Rother people have say on bid to scrap tip booking system
Hastings and Rother people have had their say on a bid to end a controversial booking system at rubbish tips.
The call, by Liberal Democrat councillors Kathryn Field and Stephen Holt, says residents have felt ‘dissatisfied and excluded’ since it was introduced in November 2025.
A 2024 public consultation on the change generated 5,992 comments — a total of 91 per cent of responses were negative.
However, Observer readers in the Hastings and Rother area commenting on our Facebook page were largely in favour of the change.
"I think it works really well. I don't understand why anyone would be complaining about it. It's really simple to book. And no waiting around to go in," said a satisfied user.
One said: "It is easy and straightforward. I went online, booked a slot for an hour's time, went along there, no queues at all. Better than spending a couple of hours queuing at a weekend."
Another said: "I was sceptical of the system at first but it actually works really well."
One added: "I don't understand why anyone would be complaining about it. It's really simple to book. And no waiting around to go in."
However, problems were highlighted by some.
A tip user said: "The fact that they can’t turn away none booked cars, due to the queue makes this whole thing a total farce. I used it a few months ago and it was fine, but I voted no to it and stick to that opinion. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. And yes, of course there’s going to be more fly tipping."
Another added: "There are people who never book, we book and the queues are down the road."
Council officers said the system was intended to prevent traders from illegally tipping commercial waste and ensuring only East Sussex residents could use the sites for free.