MORE than 150,000 residents’ vehicles have already been registered online over the past few weeks, ahead of the launch of a new permit system at Hampshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC).

Under the new scheme, people from outside the county will be charged £5 each time they visit any of the county council’s 24 household waste facilities.

The new system will be controlled by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and will ensure continued free access for county residents.

Rumours had circulated on social media that there was a strict time limit to register. However, residents have ample time to log their vehicle on the system.

Councillor Rob Humby, executive member for economy, transport and environment, said: “Thank you to all Hampshire residents who have registered their vehicles so far.

“There is still plenty of time to register, and once Hampshire residents have done this, they will see no change when they next visit a Hampshire HWRC.

“We’re bringing in this system because I am keen we find a way that provides effective and environmentally-practicable options for residents who live close to Hampshire’s borders, to continue to access the HWRCs, but in a way that is fairer to Hampshire residents who pay for the cost of the service through their council tax.”

The council said the charge would “offset” the £500,000 annual cost of dealing with waste from non-Hampshire residents visiting facilities.

Critics of the scheme fear it might encourage fly-tipping.

Visit hants.gov.uk/vehicle-registration-hwrc or call 0300 555 1389 to register.