DULVERTON, Williton and Wellington recycling centres are among those that will remain open for essential visits next week and Minehead centre should open on May 26.

Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) says this is thanks to the responsible attitude shown by the public so far – people have, in the vast majority of cases, heeded restrictions on access and materials since the sites were reopened on May 11.

Mickey Green, SWP managing director, said: “People have followed the guidance and understood why restrictions are necessary. We really appreciate that, and it is this that has allowed us to keep the sites open and allow people to make essential visits.

“We are working on plans that will let us ease restrictions on access and materials and will do this as soon as we can. In the meantime, please continue to do the right thing and follow the restrictions which are there to keep the sites open and keep everyone safe.”

Although queues have at times been substantial, the sites have been able to cope – despite social distancing measures which halve the usual number of unloading bays.

So, from Monday (May 18), trailers and 3.5 tonne vans will be allowed on sites between 4pm and 6pm on weekdays. To manage congestion, vans and trailers will need permits as usual.

Other rules apply as normal: no vans over 3.5 tonnes, no double axle trailer or vans towing trailers at any time.

All other restrictions remain in place, most importantly that people should only come to sites if their visit is essential – if there is a risk of waste causing harm or ill-health if it is stored at home.

SWP remains on course to reopen the remaining sites – including Minehead – by Tuesday, May 26, following the bank holiday.

Sites are operating temporary additional opening hours of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 4pm. They are closed on Thursdays.

An odd and even vehicle number plate system is being used to control numbers: Odd numbers on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday with even numbers on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

No more than two people per household will be permitted, gloves must be worn while outside the vehicle and strict social distancing must be adhered to.

Temporary restrictions also apply to materials being accepted, again to ensure social distancing. To start with, only the following will be accepted:

* Rubbish – material usually put in black rubbish bins, excess black bags not taken by kerbside collections, and bulky items like furniture;

* Garden waste;

* Large household electrical items;

* Hazardous household chemicals such as pesticides, weed killers and insecticides. 

Any items that would usually be disposed of for a fee will not be accepted – including tyres, gas bottles, soil and hardcore, vehicle parts, commercial waste, plasterboard and Asbestos.

Access to the normal recycling banks will not be possible, so unless it is absolutely essential do not bring cardboard, food and drink cans, paper, food waste, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars. These can be recycled using the continuing weekly recycle collections.

Waste wood, metal, plastic pots tubs and trays, scrap metal, TetraPaks and small electricals should be kept at home until the sites return to normal.

For the latest information about services and any disruption visit www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/coronavirus and follow @somersetwaste on Twitter and Facebook.