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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Heather Pickstock

This is when recycling centres in Portishead and Backwell will re-open

Recycling centres in Portisead and Backwell are to re-open by the end of the month.

North Somerset Council and its contractor Biffa have confirmed they will open Portishead Recycling Centre on May 27 and the Backwell site on May 29.

The move follows the announcement that Weston-super-Mare recycling centre will open on Monday (May 18).

As part of the measures and to keep queues down people will be asked only to visit on certain days.

Residents with vehicle number plates with an odd number are asked to visit on Mondays, Thursdays or Saturdays while those with even number plates can visit on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays with any plate accepted on Tuesdays.

The council is urging people to only visit its recycling centres if they have waste that cannot be stored safely at home.

North Somerset Council executive member for environment Councillor Bridget Petty said: “We’re working hard behind the scenes to prepare our recycling centres for re-opening but they won’t all re-open at the same time as each one has its own set of challenges to enable social distancing and keep everyone safe.

“The staff from these sites have been working on the kerbside rounds the previous weeks and delivering a really important priority service.

“Weston will re-open first because arrangements can be introduced there more easily due to the site’s larger size and for more cars to queue safely.

(Nailsea People)

“Backwell and Portishead will take us a little longer.

“The roads leading to them will struggle to safely manage the potential large queues which may form, without additional measures.

“We have to consider the needs of nearby residents in Backwell and our police and fire colleagues in Portishead. The sites themselves have more restricted access. But we’re working on it so please be patient.

“If you use these sites normally please don’t make an unnecessary journey to Weston, it won’t be long until your local site is open.”

Social distancing measures are being put in place at all of the recycling centres.

Rubbish piles up at a recycling centre in Bristol as the UK enters the second week of lockdown due to the global coronavirus (PA)

As a result, fewer vehicles will be allowed onto each site at any one time, meaning the potential for long queues.

As part of the re-opening plans, Weston recycling centre will open for extended hours from 6.30am to 7.30pm for the first five days.

There will also be a fair usage approach with each household encouraged to visit no more than once per month in a bid to give everyone the chance to visit.

A council spokesman said: “It will be really important that people follow all the guidance on the council’s website before travelling and they must take time to familiarise themselves with the on site signage which will ensure health protection measures are maintained.

Queuing traffic waiting to get into Backwell recycling centre (Bristol Post)

“All these arrangements are dependent on the success of maintaining social distancing and safe practices and the progress with the country’s journey through the lockdown-easement measures.

“Should the Government revise the measures and reintroduce more stringent lockdown controls the council may not be able to keep recycling centres open.”

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