Council bosses reveal the key steps needed for tips to open

COUNCIL bosses have revealed the measures that will need to be put in place before tips can reopen in Warwickshire.

The chief executive of neighbouring Leicestershire County Council announced plans to reopen tips on the week starting May 18, saying talks had taken place with other councils in the Midlands to coordinate opening sites at the same time.

There are growing calls for local refuse centres to open their gates as households across Warwickshire have growing amounts of waste they need to get rid of.

It has led to backyard bonfires, which have caused concern for communities and seen Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council issue pleas for them to stop.

But Warwickshire County Council said while they are “as keen as residents” to reopen tips, they will not until it is safe to do so.

A spokesperson for Warwickshire County Council said: “National social distancing measures, plus staff absences due to social isolation, sickness or supporting kerbside collections, have forced household waste and recycling centres (HWRCS) to close up and down the country.

“This is clearly not an ideal situation when usually Warwickshire sites are only closed on the three winter bank holidays.

“Councils are as keen as their residents to open HWRCS as soon as practicable but HWRCS can only open when it is safe to do so. Both staff and visitors need to be assured that the right measures are in place to prevent the spread of infection in these busy locations full of discarded waste.”

The spokesman added that the following measures would need to be put in place before tips could reopen: “Clear Government guidance that going to an HWRC is essential trave.

“Space and barriers on site to help people socially distance.

“Sufficient site staff to manage the operation and ensure public safety is not put at risk.

“The ability to dispose of waste delivered to sites - our disposal and recycling contractors need to be open to receive waste.

“Support in place to