IN RELATION to the letter from John Morgan (No flexibility, April 15), Torfaen operates a permit system for trailers and vans to stop the illegal use of the household waste recycling centre to dispose of trade waste. It is not uncommon for councils to operate such a system, while many have a ban on all trailers and vans at their recycling centres altogether.

We post permits out to residents so there is no need to collect them from our offices unless they choose to do so, and we are investigating the option of making this process paperless to offer further flexibility. We have recently introduced a £10 administration fee to cover the costs of this process. However, the permits still offer value for money when compared to other methods of disposing of large items, such as hiring a skip.

There is no excuse for fly tipping, which is a criminal offence, and anyone caught illegally fly tipping will face significant fines.

Cllr John Cunningham, Executive member for neighbourhood services, Torfaen County Borough Council