Tipping point: Regional recycling centres start to re-open in the Anglia region

Many councils in the East have started to reopen recycling and waste centres.

It follows a huge rise in fly-tipping across the region since tips closed at the start of lockdown.

Fly-tipping is on the rise Credit: PA Images

So where and when are recycling centres reopening in our region

We've contacted every local authority across the ITV News Anglia region, here is what we have been told:

This will be updated as more information becomes available

  • Hertfordshire County Council - opened ten of its sites on May 11th

These include Bishop’s Stortford, Harpenden, Letchworth, Royston and Stevenage.

The council has stated that visits should be for essential visits only, and strict social distancing protocols will be enforced, including:

  • Anyone in self-isolation, or with Covid-19 symptoms, must not visit the sites

  • Centres will operate on a ‘one in, one out’ basis

  • Limits will be put on the number of vehicles allowed in.

  • Visitors must follow marked pathways and queue, at a safe distance.

  • Staff will not be able to help you carry waste from your car

The council has also said site equipment such as handrails and steps to access containers, will be regularly cleaned and it has warned that centres will close if these measures are breached.

More information - including webcams to monitor possible queues - are on the council's website.

  • Norfolk County Council reopened eight of its centres' from Monday 11th May.

These sites are: Caister, Dereham, Hempton, Ketteringham, King’s Lynn, Mayton Wood, Mile Cross and Thetford.

The council has said the sites will operate a restricted service. It has put the following rules in place.

  • Require customers follow the 2 metre social distancing rule

  • Operate on a managed one in one out basis for cars

  • Only allow two adults out of a car to unload waste

  • Assistance will not be offered to help empty vehicles

  • The sites will only allow cars and car derived vans

Like Hertfordshire Norfolk is insisting visits are only made if waste cannot be stored at home. They have also said that if anyone in a household has Covid-19 symptoms you should not visit.

The sites will be open between 9am and 5pm. More information is available on the council website.

Bedfordshire

Central Bedfordshire Council -

All four of their Waste Recycling Centres in Ampthill, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard and Thorn Turn reopened Monday May 11.

Bedford Borough Council - opened its Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) on Barkers Lane on Monday 11 May

  • You will only be able to visit by appointment

  • There will be 15 minute slots available which must be booked at least a day before you plan to visit, and will be available to book up to 14 days in advance.

  • Bookings must be made in advance

  • Access to the tip will be via a one way system on Barkers Lane accessed only from Newnham Avenue. Larger cars will not be allowed.

  • Also on May 11 the council is opening a new site in the Oasis Swimming Pool car park off Cardington Road. This site is for Bedford Borough residents only, and proof of address (such as a utility bill or Council Tax bill) will be required.

  • Residents will be able to bring their garden waste, without appointment, to the Oasis site

  • The Oasis site is purely for garden waste, no other waste will be accepted.

More details can be found at the council's website.

Luton Borough Council- From 11 May, The Eaton Green Road tidy tip site will be open from 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week. The Pr​ogress Way site remains closed.

Other councils

  • Cambridgeshire - Monday May 11th

  • Peterborough - Monday May 11th

  • Northamptonshire- Monday May 18th

Local Authorities with no date set

  • Essex

  • Milton Keynes

  • Suffolk

The councils have said that tips will only reopen once proper protective clothing for workers is readily available and social distancing protocols are in place.

What measures are councils likely to employ to keep people safe?

Hertfordshire County Council outlined their restrictions above, with other councils following similar guidelines. Every Council says because of the rules that have to be in place it's vital to be patient as long queues are expected everywhere.

You are also asked to:

  • limit journeys

  • only travel to a household waste and recycling centre absolutely essential

  • show proof of address to use the sites

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know