Commissioning of the new automated barriers at recycling centres, purchased with funding from Zero Waste Scotland’s Covid fund, will be taking place over the coming weeks starting in Laurencekirk on Monday 15th February.

The barriers have a camera with automated number plate recognition system which connects to the recycling centre booking system to check whether the vehicle has a valid booking and, if so, open the barrier.

The commissioning will involve optimising the camera location to ensure maximum read rates. Whilst we are not expecting this to cause major disruption at the centres, customers may experience slight delays on the commissioning days. However, anybody with a valid booking will be let in to the recycling centre even if it is slightly after their booked time slot.

The works are weather dependant and can involve quite a bit of trouble-shooting, hence we are commissioning one site at the time and cannot publish a works programme in advance. To keep the transition to automated barriers as smooth as possible, a site attendant will remain at the gate during the first few weeks following commissioning to support customers and resolve any issues.

Information on the barrier system will be provided to customers on the website whilst they make a booking, so they know what to expect.