Changes to recycling centres which many people believe could increase fly-tipping will be introduced next week.

From Monday (October 31), vans and commercial vehicles will be banned and DIY and construction waste will no longer be accepted at 12 centres countywide, including Chigwell and Waltham Abbey.

Waltham Abbey Town Council claimed the changes could make “unprecedented” fly-tipping levels even worse, something which has been echoed by many people on social media.

Essex County Council claimed the change is needed to “help improve capacity and reduce the amount of illegal business waste entering recycling centres in Essex.”

The vehicle ban includes small vans, pick-up trucks and trailers with more than one axle.

The council said commercial vehicles make up more than a third of users, causing more queuing and longer unloading times than householders.

Construction and DIY waste will no longer be accepted at the 12 sites as it is not regarded as household waste by the law, the council said.

It has installed a new number plate recognition system to monitor sites, with businesses continuing to illegally dump rubbish facing a fine of up to £50,000.

Environment and waste councillor Simon Walsh said: “I want householders to have a swift and safe experience when they use our recycling centres.

“While the majority of traders play by the rules, the illegal use of recycling centres means that residents end up footing the bill.

“Removing illegal business traffic from sites will breathe new life into these facilities and improve sites for all users.”

Roads, car parks and green areas in Epping Forest district see frequent and persistent fly-tipping.

Waltham Abbey town clerk Kathryn Richmond previously said: “We are surrounded by Epping Forest, the Lee Valley and agricultural land, we are already experiencing fly-tipping in unprecedented numbers.

“To reduce the option to use the re-cycling site in Waltham Abbey will only exacerbate this situation.

“The proposed alternative at Harlow is some 12 miles away, a 24 mile round trip.

“Some people will, we feel sure, be even more tempted to dump their rubbish in this area.

“We, as the town council, strongly object to this decision by the county council.”

For more information about the changes, visit http://www.essex.gov.uk.