People living in Hertfordshire will need a digital permit to use Thriplow Recycling Centre in South Cambridgeshire, while Cambs residents will need a permit to use Royston Recycling Centre.

The rules came into effect on Friday, December 1, after an announcement earlier this year that Hertfordshire County Council would be restricting access at the county's network of 16 recycling centres.

Since the announcement, discussions have taken place between both Herts and Cambs county councils, with an agreement reached to allow reciprocal access.

To register for a free permit to access the Royston centre, Cambs residents can go to www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/recyclingcentrepermits.

Meanwhile, Herts residents will have to apply for a permit to use the Thriplow centre at https://selfservice-cambridgeshire.servicebuilder.co.uk/permit.

Hertfordshire residents will have to continue to show proof of residency on arrival at any of the county's recycling centres.

This can be a driving licence, council tax bill, utility bill or Hertfordshire bus pass.

Without proof of residency, access to Hertfordshire recycling centres may be refused.

Restrictions were introduced due to the rising cost of delivering the recycling centre service, which is anticipated to continue rising in the coming years.

Cllr Eric Buckmaster, executive member for the environment at Hertfordshire County Council, said: "I’m pleased that Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire County Councils have been able to come to an agreement that enables residents from each county to continue using a recycling centre that is close to where they live.

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"Like many other council-run services, our recycling centres are experiencing additional costs and it is only prudent that we look at all possible forms of mitigation for Hertfordshire taxpayers who are currently paying for waste being produced outside of Hertfordshire.

"Resident-only policies are commonplace across the region and country, with many of our nearest neighbours having had this policy in place for some time."

Cllr Lorna Dupre, chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s environment and green investment committee, added: "I’m pleased that we have been able to come to an agreement that enables residents from both counties to continue to be able to use a recycling centre that is close to where they live."