Worcestershire Council gives update on which services are operating amid coronavirus pandemic

The coronavirus has brought about huge changes for everyone in almost every aspect of their day-to-day lives.

That includes all the services operated by Worcestershire County Council and other smaller authorities in the area.

Due to the challenges of enforcing social distancing measures and maintaining staff and public safety, there have been many changes to council services during the Covid-19 pandemic.

However since Boris Johnson began to ease lockdown restrictions, things have started to go back to somewhere near normal - albeit a new kind of normal that we'll have to live with for the foreseeable future.

Worcestershire County Council have now updated residents on the latest changes to its services since lockdown was eased. From refuse collection to roadworks, here's the latest on the situation where you live.

Bin collections by area

 

Malvern Hills District Council

Malvern Hills District Council says it is currently not experiencing any disruptions to its service.

However, the authority has urged residents with symptoms of coronavirus to "please put used tissues and disposable cleaning cloths in rubbish bags. Then put the bag into a second bag and tie it securely. Store it for three days before putting it in your black bin".

Redditch Borough Council

Household waste and recycling collections are operating as normal and its garden waste service has now re-started as well.

However, there are changes to the recently re-started bulky collections, with items being collected after at least 72 hours of being booked.

The council will also not enter properties or garage to remove items and they will not take cash payments, residents will need to pay by card over the phone prior to collection.

Worcester City Council

All of the crews are currently operating as normal and green and black bins are being collected on the usual days.

Wychavon District Council

Wychavon has now re-started its bulky waste collections after a brief pause due to the pandeic. Garden waste and waste and recycling collections meanwhile have been and remain unaffected.

Wyre Forest District Council

Wyre Forest are still operating their collection services as normal, but are urging residents to try and "reduce" their waste where possible.

The garden waste collections are running fortnightly but the council recommends "composting any garden waste at home".

Bromsgrove District Council

The council's household waste and recycling collections are "operating normally" so residents should put their bins out by 7am on collection day ready to be emptied.

The Garden Waste service is also now running on its normal schedule.

In a statement on their website, Bromsgrove council state: "Our crews are working very hard to ensure your waste is collected during this difficult time. They are frontline staff already working with reduced numbers so please help them help you, and follow strict physical distancing around them".

Household Waste Recycle Centres

A number of household recycling centres have now re-opened in Worcestershire - but with restrictions in place.

Worcestershire County Council has urged residents not to visit the site if you or a member of your household are unwell.

And if you are planning on visiting one of the county's seven tips, you'll have to follow the following social distancing restrictions which are currently in place at the sites:

• only a limited number of residents will be allowed on site at any one time
• a ‘supermarket style’ system is in operation, with a ‘one out, one in’ access policy
• no assistance will be provided on site so only load items you can unload yourself
• no walking in of waste is allowed
• no soil improver / compost sales
• no reuse charity drop off points
• alternate parking spaces / bays have been blocked off
• access to each skip will be by one resident at a time
• the deposit of some materials may not be possible if the re-processor is unavailable as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak – check individual HRC webpages for more details
• the Commercial Vehicle and Trailer Permit scheme will remain in operation
• keep to the 2 metre distancing rules AT ALL TIMES
• ideally come alone and wear gloves and suitable footwear (no open toe sandals)
• stay in your vehicle while queuing to aid with social distancing and wait to be directed to a parking bay by staff
• Severn Waste Services will not tolerate any form of abusive behaviour towards its staff and will take action against offenders

• if you do not comply with social distancing guidance, you will be asked to leave the site and the site may have to close temporarily

The sites that have been opened in Worcestershire are:

• Bromsgrove (Quantry Lane)
• Malvern (Newlands)
• Pershore (Hill & Moor)
• Redditch (Crossgates)
• Stourport (Bonemill)
• Worcester (Bilford Road)
• Tenbury (part time)

Roadworks

Planned roadworks have resumed in Worcestershire with a fresh batch beginning this week - so you can expect to see the usual collection of cones, bollards and toiling workmen in high-vis clothing if you're out and about.

Worcestershire Council started its yearly programme of improvements to the county's network of roads on Monday with the schedule set to be reviewed on a week-by-week basis.

And further work is also in the pipeline. The authority has pledged to carry out any work that it deems to be "essential" to ensure the safety of residents.

This includes fixing railings and pavements and repairing roads damaged by floods.

"Other improvement works are being undertaken where essential to ensure the safety of our residents. These include: improving pedestrian guardrails and shorter bits of paving, making good flood damage.

Work to repair and improve paths and tracks for pedestrians will also start in June.