NEWS that a booking system is set to be introduced for the Haylie Brae recycling centre in Largs sparked much debate and derision last week.

The announcement from North Ayrshire Council was slammed by some as "utter tripe", however, others defended the move by claiming that it "works well" in other local authority areas.

The council is expected to implement the online system next spring at its four household waste recycling centres (HWRCs), including Largs.

NAC said the system will allow customers to book slots at HWRC sites at a convenient time, enabling staff to help offload their household waste safely and correctly, minimising contamination, and improving recycling.

One online follower of the News said on social media that it was simply a “stupid idea”, while several others raised fears that it will lead to an increase in fly-tipping.

READ MORE: New booking system to be introduced at North Ayrshire recycling centres

One follower posted on our Facebook page: “No money but they’re going computerized which will really be handy for all the local elderly.”

A different social media user questioned: “Was there ever a complaint that it was un-smooth or slow?”

Another asked: “Is this a joke? Seriously, you should be able to turn up and do what you have to do.”

One user suggested that they had “never seen a queue at Largs”, and that the move will “totally suck the joy out of the ‘fancy a trip to the dump’”.

Another person commented: “What about people that work out with the nine-five hours or work over seven days and don’t know when their next day off is gonna be, as they work different shifts each week? How can these people possibly book in advance?

“Households are asked to recycle but the authorities that run the centres don’t exactly make it easy, as the tip is only opened 10am-4.30pm but last entry is 4-4.15pm.”

Another user said: “This will increase fly-tipping, and we pay taxes to access these pretty basic necessities, making it unnecessarily bureaucratic is unjustifiable.”

One of our followers stated that the process is “an absolute pain to use” in other local authority areas that have implemented it, while others branded it “ridiculous and unnecessary” and “utter tripe”.

However, jumping to the council’s defence, one member of the public said the system – also used in South Ayrshire - is “easy” but “people have to moan about something”.

A fellow supporter stated: “Introduced in South Ayrshire and works fine, can often get same day appointments, fly-tipping hasn’t increased, makes the sites run far smoother.”

What do you think of the plan? Let us know in the comments below.