Long queues as majority of recycling centres reopen

There are long queues outside recycling centres across the South as the majority reopen for the first time in two months.

The public is being urged to consider if their trip is necessary.

Sites across West Sussex and Hampshire reopened on Monday with nine out of 10 recycling centres also reopening in Dorset.

At the Nuffield recycling centre in Poole, people were queuing from 6am on Monday before the site opened at 9am.

The majority of sites were temporarily closed at the end of March following Government guidelines on non-essential journeys to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

A number of measures are in place including a limit on visitor numbers and strict social distancing guidelines.

Meanwhile, sites in Kent will open on the 15th May with East Sussex and Oxfordshire following on the 18th.

There are no dates yet for Berkshire.

The public should only visit their local Household Waste Recycling Site if their recycling or waste cannot be collected by the kerbside and it poses a risk to health.

If it does not pose a risk to health then it should be safely stored at home.

The public is being warned that sites may be busy during the first few days and at the weekends.

Councils are asking the public to travel to sites alone if possible as only one person will be allowed out of each vehicle at any one time.

Site staff will not be able to help unload waste and recycling from vehicles.