Since the booking system began in January, 67 users have had their access blocked, which Oxfordshire County Council says saves the taxpayer thousands of pounds in disposal costs.

Suspicious patterns of usage has been identified, including unusually high frequencies of visits, the use of multiple sites across Oxfordshire and activity inconsistent with normal household use.

This analysis has identified companies undertaking property clearance activities, handymen, professional gardeners and other businesses generating waste as part of their commercial operations.

Redbridge recycling centre in Oxford (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

One trader was found to have used the tip service more than 60 times in 2026, visiting all seven sites across Oxfordshire.

Where sufficient evidence is obtained that an individual is abusing the service, access to Oxfordshire’s recycling centres is blocked.

Since the updated rules, recycling, composting and reuse rates have increased month on month, driven by less waste being incinerated or landfilled and more recycled, the council said.

Householders are bringing approximately 10kg more waste per visit than last year (increasing from about 45 to 55kg per visit).

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Over £130,000 was saved from February to April 2026, compared to the same period last year, mostly through avoided incineration and landfilling costs.

And more than £10,000 was generated from the new £15 out-of-county charges.

The number of visits to tips is down 36 per cent compared to the same period last year, but County Hall attributes this to better prevention of treader abuse and people brining more waste per visit.

Laura Gordon, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for environment and economy (Image: Supplied)

Laura Gordon, cabinet member for the environment and economy, said: “Household recycling centres are for household waste – not trade waste.

“Trader abuse of the HWRCs costs taxpayers thousands and undercuts legitimate traders who are paying to dispose of waste.

“The measures introduced earlier this year are preventing commercial waste from illegally entering HWRCs, ensuring taxpayers are not covering disposal costs and preventing unfair competition impacting legitimate trade waste operators.”

The county council and Oxfordshire’s district and city councils have been closely monitoring fly-tipping.

A spokesman for the county council said: “Data does not indicate any new trends emerging since the changes were introduced, nor increases outside of normal ranges that may suggest the new HWRC policies are leading to more fly-tipping.

“However, data will continue to be collected and analysed to ensure the best possible understanding of fly-tipping in Oxfordshire.

“A wider review of the changes will be published in December 2026.”

Customers must book a slot online on the council’s website before visiting their tip. Bookings are available up to two weeks in advance or 30 minutes prior, subject to availability.

Israeli-Canadian Bitcoin millionaire investor Roy Sebag, who owns GoldMoney Properties, bought the Clarendon Centre in 2024 for more than £30m.

Since last year, the centre has been closed with retailers including TK Maxx moving to the Westgate shopping centre or other locations.

Earlier this year, the business has sent in plans to Oxford City Council to revamp the centre and square.

How the new square could look at the Clarendon Centre (Image: GP Clarendon Square Ltd)

Oxfordshire County Council has now asked the developer for £224,060 to put towards parking spaces for bicycles in Queen Street and Cornmarket Street.

Tim Peart, transport technical lead at County Hall, has written a letter to Oxford City Council requesting the money from the developer.

Mr Peart said: “The applicant proposes that a number of public cycle parking spaces could be accommodated on Queen Street and Cornmarket Street.

“Identifying suitable locations for more cycle parking in the city centre has always been a challenge.

“In addition, the scheme that OCC are collecting contributions towards will include cycle parking and other alterations to those streets.

“I would be keen to avoid abortive works whereby the applicant installs public cycle parking spaces only for these to be removed and relocated at some point after.

“Given that the Queen Street / Cornmarket Street scheme will include cycle parking, we propose that this matter is resolved through the contribution to that scheme.”

Kevin Cox, of Thames Valley Police, said the force has concerns around the proposed “large and enclosed” public cycle store.

He said it “limits surveillance” over the bicycles and will create “opportunities for concealed theft attempts” from the storage.

“Details need to be provided regarding how public cycle storage will be adequately protected from targeted theft attempts,” he said.

Mr Cox added: “The proposed development is likely to become a key focal space within the city centre, providing an area of public open space, of which there is currently very little within the locality.

“Following extensive meetings with the applicants and site owners, I am confident that their proposals for site management and maintenance are robust, realistic and achievable.”

Nick Small, for Oxford Bus Company, said: “Successive major development projects and not least the Westgate, have shown that the [cycle] space required is not insubstantial, and accommodating it is not straightforward without potentially causing wider conflicts.

“We note that the applicants have worked hard to maximise provision without unduly burdening pedestrian circulation and the wider experience of the public realm.

“With this challenge in view, it is appropriate to highlight the frequency, capacity and range of bus services serving the site, which by any measure, are exceptional.”

Oxford City Council will decide on the plans in due course.

Cothill has been commended in the Small Independent School category at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026, recognising the school’s distinctive approach to education for children aged 7 to 13.

The leading co-educational preparatory school in Oxfordshire is known for its small classes, personalised academic pathways, and outstanding record of preparing children for entry to top senior schools.

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With an average class size of just 13, teachers are able to build a deep understanding of each child, shaping bespoke academic pathways that stretch and support pupils according to their individual strengths and interests.

This personalised approach has consistently helped Cothill pupils go on to secure places at some of the country’s top senior schools including Eton, Radley College and Harrow.

The commendation reflects the strength of a community where relationships, not numbers, define the experience, where every child is known, encouraged, and given the confidence to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

The Independent Schools of the Year Awards celebrate excellence across the UK’s independent education sector, with entries judged by an independent panel on the impact and quality of what schools deliver for their pupils and families.

Being commended places Cothill among a select group of schools recognised for outstanding achievement in this category.

Headteacher George May with pupils at Cothill (Image: Cothill)

Cothill will now wait to hear whether it progresses to the finals, with results due in September.

In March, the school announced its inclusion in the prestigious Spears Schools Index.

The school said in a statement at the time: “This recognition is a testament to Cothill’s continued commitment to providing a well-rounded, forward-thinking education while nurturing each pupil’s individual strengths and character.

“The school takes great pride in being acknowledged on such a global stage alongside some of the most respected educational institutions worldwide and particularly for the recognition of our culture of kindness.

“Cothill extends its gratitude to its dedicated staff, supportive parents, and inspiring pupils, all of whom contribute to making the school a vibrant and thriving community.”