This is when public waste tips will reopen

Council bosses have confirmed when their dozen public waste tips will reopen.

Durham County Council will reopen the 12 sites from Monday, May 18, after they closed following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bulky waste goods collections by the authority will resume from the same day.

The announcement follows similar plans unveiled by neighouring councils in Sunderland from Monday, and in

Hartlepool from Wednesday.

Durham has introduced a host of new safety measures and insists the recycling centres should only be visited if waste cannot be stored safely athomeandnoalternativedisposal options are available.

Toensuresocialdistancing, people will be asked to keep two metres apart at all times and a limited number of cars willbeallowedon-siteatatime.

This will be determined on a site-by-site basis and residents are being asked to be patient at sites where there are queues.

Visitors may also be turned away if sites are too busy.

Changestothewaythesites are used will also be made.

For example, no lifting assistance will be available from staff on-site, with users being responsible for this, and residents are advised to take a passenger from the household if required.

Residentswillalsobeasked towashtheirhandsbeforeand after their visit.

Vehicles such as vans, pickups,minibusesorvehiclestowing trailers will still be able to use the site with a waste permit.

These can be applied for on the council’s website. As usual, car users will not need to apply for a permit. Collections of bulky waste itemscanbemadeatwww.durham.gov.uk/bulkywaste or by ringing 03000 260 000.