A POSTCODE lottery facing residents living on two sides of an A-road over waste disposal charges has been condemned as unjustifiable.

Matthew Vickers, Stockton Borough Council's Conservative group leader, has called for an end to double standards after it emerged the authority's residents - many of whom live west of the A19 - are being charged to deposit rubble using a trailer or van at a recycling centre.

Middlesbrough residents - who live on the other side of the road - are not charged.

The Haverton Hill Recycling Centre is a shared resource between Stockton and Middlesbrough councils.

Councillor Vickers said: “I had a pensioner ask why he would have to pay if he used a trailer to dispose of bits of rubble from his DIY efforts. He was told he wouldn’t have to pay the charge if he could break the rubble up and put it in his car – or if he happened to be from Middlesbrough - in which case it’s free.

“It’s not on. Both councils pay towards the running costs of the centre, yet residents in Stockton have to pay to dispose of household rubble, whilst those in Middlesbrough get it free.”

To use a van or trailer to dispose of waste at the site residents are required to gain a permit from their local council.

When a Stockton resident applies for such a permit to dump rubble they are charged £20 per load, while Middlesbrough residents get this same service free of charge.

According to the Stockton council’s website, the household waste recycling centre at Haverton Hill is managed by Suez Recycling and Waste Recovery for the exclusive use of Stockton and Middlesbrough residents and for household waste only.

The site is not open to commercial vehicles or traders.

Councillor Mike Smith, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “Residents can visit the Household Waste Recycling Centre at Haverton Hill and deposit household waste free of charge.

“Since March 2013, there has been a charge for vans or trailers disposing of a large amount of building materials and rubble as these forms of waste are extremely costly to dispose of.      

“In light of this, we have implemented a reasonable charge of £20 per permit which we believe is the correct approach based upon the best use of finite resources and effective budget management.”