Out-of-county tip visitors set to be charged

An Oxfordshire council is set to charge non-residents to use its tips, with residents being required to prove they live in the county.

Oxfordshire County Council, which has seven household waste recycling centres (HWRC), says it has evidence that people living in other counties "routinely" use them.

It says Oxfordshire residents are prevented from using neighbouring councils' tips but that non-Oxfordshire residents face no restrictions on using the county's recycling centres.

The council's cabinet is set to approve a plan on Tuesday that would mean non-Oxfordshire residents being charged £15 every time they use a HWRC from 14 January 2026.

About 5,900 people responded to a council-run consultation, with 40% in favour of charging non-Oxfordshire residents and 34% opposed.

Some 56% said they felt it was "reasonable to introduce residency checks, while 31% were opposed.

The introduction of the charges will be rolled out alongside a new booking system.

HRWC users will need to book their visit online. Bookings will be available from a fortnight in advance, and up to 30 minutes before a visit, subject to availability, the county council said.

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