Strict social distancing rules will be enforced at Newcastle’s tips when they reopen next week, after weeks of being shut due to the coronavirus lockdown.
The household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) at Byker, Brunswick, and Walbottle will open on Monday but council bosses have now revealed a series of stringent measures to prevent overcrowding.
There are fears that demand will be incredibly high, with long queues expected as people try to get rid of rubbish that has been piling up at home since mid-March.
Under the new rules, only five vehicles will be allowed into the tips at any time – with only one person in each car.
There will be a 10-minute limit for people to dispose of their waste, hourly closures for cleaning, and everyone will be required to provide proof that they live in Newcastle to be allowed entry.
These are the new social distancing rules in full:
- Only five vehicles will be allowed on-site at any one time at Walbottle and Brunswick, with four on-site at Byker.
- Only one occupant will be allowed per vehicle. Blue badge holders may have two, but only one person may get out.
- All visitors must park in the bays provided.
- A 10-minute time limit will be in place to dispose of waste.
- Visitors must follow the walking routes indicated and, if a skip is in use, wait in one of the marked areas.
- Council staff will not be able to assist residents with heavy items or any unloading.
- Sites will be closed for cleaning for 10 minutes each hour.
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The council has warned that people should expect wait times of up to an hour outside tips, so the following measures are being imposed to reduce demand:
- All non-Newcastle residents will be turned away – Visitors will have to show both a passport or driver’s licence and a recent council tax or utility bill to be allowed in.
- New traffic management will be in place both outside and inside sites.
- No large or commercial vehicles will be admitted and the WasteBot permit system will be suspended for a minimum of 30 days following re-opening.
- Visitors should stay in their cars while waiting to enter.
- The queue will be capped at one hour - If the queue to enter is already that long visitors may be asked to leave and return at another time.
- Extra staff will be on-site to ensure social distancing.
- Last entry to HWRCs will be at 7.40pm.
Newcastle City Council bosses have begged residents not to rush to the tips as soon as they reopen.
The tips were closed when the UK went into lockdown, but that has led to growing concerns over a rise in fly-tipping and rubbish bonfires.
Coun Nick Kemp, cabinet member for environment and regulatory services, said: “We thank everyone who has responsibly held onto their excess waste while waiting for this moment, but now must ask people not to all immediately rush out.
“In order that this works for everyone, we need people to be sensible, remembering that most trips to the tip would still not be considered essential journeys under the Government’s lockdown rules."
To try and stop people making non-essential journeys, the council is also reducing the cost of its bulky waste collection service by 25% for the next 30 days.
Coun Kemp added: “We know there will be a great demand to visit HWRCs in the first few days after they reopen, but we would ask that if you can, you please hold off as long as possible so that we can effectively manage numbers and ensure the safety of both residents and our staff.”
