Peterborough’s recycling centre to re-open for vans and trailers

On Monday, May 11, the HRC opened to residents following Government guidance and with advice from Public Health England. However, the decision was taken to delay its use to vans and trailers due to concerns over the time it would take them to unload, affecting levels of traffic and the ability to adhere to strict Covid-19 social distancing on site.

Following a review that was undertaken last week, Peterborough City Council is satisfied that while the site has been busy, there is enough capacity to extend its use to vans and trailers.

Access will initially be only allowed for vans and trailers that pre-book visits via an online booking system that has now gone live. The first visits will take place from Wednesday.

Cllr John Holdich, leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “The Household Recycling Centre has been busy over the last two weeks but we have been able to manage vehicles well. We originally took the decision to delay its use for vans and trailers as we didn’t know how many people would want to come and how well users would adhere to social distancing.

“Since the re-opening of the site, the vast majority of users have been extremely patient, polite to staff and diligent about following the Government’s Covid-19 guidance. Due to this we feel we have some extra capacity to be able to extend usage to vans and trailers that would usually have a permit.

“The online booking system for vans and trailers is a temporary measure and will allow us to stagger access for these vehicles throughout the day, limiting queues and ensuring continued access to everyone who needs to make an essential visit.”

Information for owners of vans and trailers on the new online booking system:

· Visit the Household Recycling Centre page for full details and to book a 30 minute slot up to two weeks in advance, with a limit of one visit per week.

· Booking slots will be available from Wednesday.

· Be aware that booking slots will be available on a first-come first-served basis.

· Booking slots will be available to either vans or trailers, not both at the same time.

· As is usually the case, no business waste will be allowed on site. The usual size restrictions on vans and trailers will apply which can be found online

· Arrive no earlier than 15 minutes prior to your booking slot time to avoid creating queues

· If the queue is longer than 15 minutes, your booking slot time will still be honoured.

· The recycling centre is open from 8am to 6pm from Monday to Sunday.

· Gates will be closed 10 minutes prior to the closing time.

Think before you visit

· Only visit if it is essential - Residents should only visit a Household Recycling Centre if essential and if you cannot minimise your waste, store it at home safely or use alternative kerbside waste collections.

· Do not attend if you or your household are suffering from Covid-19 symptoms - If you or anyone in your home have related symptoms or are suffering from Covid-19 you must not visit the Household Recycling Centre under any circumstances.

· Are you a Peterborough resident? - Note that the Household Recycling Centre is for the use of Peterborough residents only. If you need to visit the site, bring proof of your address (utility bill, council tax bill, driving licence or similar) in case you are asked to provide it.

· Avoid peak times - Traffic management is unable to allow excessive queuing, so you may be turned away and asked to return later if it is busy. To try and avoid this, the council is asking residents to plan their journeys away from the anticipated peak times of 9am to 10am, noon until 1pm and 5pm to 6pm,

How the council is making your essential journey safe for you and for staff

· Social distancing measures will be in place – Social distancing of two metres will be enforced, with clear signage and additional staff directing and instructing from distance.

· Limited vehicles on site – A total of 14 cars will be allowed on the site at a time (four outside and 10 inside the building).

· Maximum of one adult unloading the vehicle - If there are passengers in the vehicle, only one person can leave the vehicle. Children are allowed, but must remain in the vehicle at all times.

· Staff will be unable to help people unload vehicles – This is to protect both users and staff. Due to this, normal advice to users to wear sturdy shoes and sturdy gloves applies to avoid injury.

· No pedestrian access onto the site

Things the centre can and can’t accept

The centre can accept all materials as normal, apart from:

· Covid-19 infected waste - You must not to bring any waste which could be infected with Covid-19. This includes disposed PPE waste or general household waste if you have been suffering from Covid-19 symptoms. These bags should be placed into another bag, tied securely and kept separate from other waste. This should be put aside for at least 72 hours before being disposed.

· Asbestos -

· Textiles – Like clothes, shoes and fabrics because the charities that collect these are not operating at the moment.

The plans to make sure visits to the Household Recycling Centre are safe for staff and employees have been drawn up by Peterborough City Council, together with its public health teams. A detailed traffic management plan has also been drawn up in consultation with Cambridgeshire Constabulary to limit the impact on surrounding roads.