CHECKPOINT Charlie in Berlin was easier to negotiate than the entrance at Millhams Lane household recycling centre in Bournemouth, it is claimed.

The comparison was made by Dorset County Council councillor John Wilson who was one of a group of about 30 protestors who took up position outside the public tip on Saturday morning (September 11).

Most were residents from nearby Ferndown, West Parley and Longham, incensed that council bosses in Bournemouth have now banned them from using the tip.

Now only Bournemouth residents can use the site, but only if they show their proof of address in the borough as they arrive at the tip's gate.

Council bosses in Bournemouth say they've had no option but to bar East Dorset residents because the site was coming under increasing pressure from the high amounts of rubbish being left there.

Cllr Wilson said: "You need two proofs of ID before you can take your sack of rubbish into the tip. There's now more aggravation involved getting into here than there was getting through Checkpoint Charlie.

"Not only is it ludicrous that people have to go through this, but it's unfair particularly to East Dorset residents living nearby."

Brian Morgan, a resident from Golf Links Road, Ferndown, said: "As a national taxpayer, we in Ferndown and everyone outside Bournemouth are paying for the tip - but paying for a service we cannot use.

"Why can't they introduce a tickets system allowing East Dorset residents to use the tip for a percentage of the time when Bournemouth residents aren't?"

Cllr John Hayter, Bournemouth council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "I won't say we will change our minds about the ban but I can stress that we are always open to suggestions from colleagues in neighbouring authorities.

"We are committed to partnership working."

First published: September 13