ORANGE permit holders are being told to ignore September expiry dates on their permits as Somerset Waste Partnership said the permit scheme is rolling on unchanged.

Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) introduced the permit system in 2016 to control congestion and keep sites operating safely and efficiently with 1.6m visits a year.

Now, SWP is telling all permit holders to ignore the September 30 expiry date and continue using their existing card or an emailed confirmation on their smart phone.

A spokesman for SWP, said: "The permit stays valid unless your details change, such as your address or vehicle. Only then should you apply for a new permit and destroy the old card.

"All permit applicants who provided SWP with an email address for future updates have been sent full information about the scheme continuing unchanged.

"Permits have successfully helped cut congestion, crime and waste levels, maintained safety and efficiency, and contributed to Somerset’s long-term fall in fly-tipping.

"Somerset residents need permits to take household waste to a recycling site in a van, pick-up, campervan, mini-bus or similar large capacity vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes gross weight, or using a car-towed single-axle trailer of up to three metres' floor length.

"The only things new for future permits are that they are a different colour – existing cards are orange; those being issued now are bright blue – and have no expiry date."

For details or to apply – with instant online confirmation to use until your new card arrives – visit www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/apply-for-a-permit.

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