AN APPOINTMENT system will be introduced for vans and vehicles towing trailers at recycling centres across East Lothian from next month.

An online booking system will be introduced by East Lothian Council on May 29.

Currently, the council has three open recycling centres – in Dunbar, North Berwick and Kinwegar, Wallyford.

A fourth recycling centre, at Macmerry, was “temporarily” closed last October, with no indication as to when it could reopen.

From June 3, vans and any vehicle towing a trailer will need to pre-book an appointment to dispose of household waste or recycling.

READ MORE: East Lothian recycling rates among the best in Scotland

Centres do not accept waste from business or commercial sources.

A ‘fair use’ policy of 12 visits per year for vans and trailers remains in place.

A spokesperson for the council said that the changes were being introduced “to enable safe access by managing large vehicles on site and reduce the volume of trade waste being disposed of illegally at the centres, which are for domestic waste only”.

A further change will see the access window altered from the current 8.30am-10.30am to 10am-noon to allow residents hiring vans or trailers for one-off household projects more time to collect and load the vehicle before visiting the centre.

READ MORE: East Lothian's recycling centres to close for staff training

Same-day bookings can be made if there is availability.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, leader of the local authority, said: “Our priority is to run our recycling centres in a safe and efficient way that benefits East Lothian residents.

“The booking system, which is already common in many other areas, will still allow larger vehicles and trailers access to our sites and also make it easier for householders who are hiring vans to collect, load and visit the site before returning their rental vehicle.

“The new arrangements will balance the needs of all of the different groups who can legitimately use our centres to dispose of a wide range of household and domestic waste and recycling.”

Pre-booking access arrangements are already in place across neighbouring authorities.

READ MORE: Petition launched calling on council to open Macmerry Recycling Centre

In Edinburgh and West Lothian, all vehicles visiting a recycling centre must pre-book an appointment.

Meanwhile, in Midlothian, booking is required for vans or trailers.

In the Scottish Borders, booking is required for large vehicles, trailers and the disposal of upholstered seating.

Go to eastlothian.gov.uk/vans-and-trailers for more information.