The council is re-opening a borough tip with new social distancing rules.

Thurrock Council’s tip in Buckingham Hill Road, Linford, will re-open on Monday May 18 for waste or recycling which cannot be stored safely at home.

Restrictions will be in operation and residents are urged to use common sense and only visit the site if absolutely necessary.

Aaron Watkins, councillor for the environment, said: “This is great news for our residents and we have been working to reopen the HWRC since social distancing measures first came into force.

“We are now in a position to safely reopen the HWRC. Social distancing measures will be in place and we ask that you only visit the HWRC if it is absolutely essential and you cannot store an item at home without causing a risk of injury or to your health. The safety of our residents and staff remains paramount.”

New restrictions will be in place at the HWRC to ensure the safety of staff and residents.

These include: strict social distancing measures which must be followed on site

limiting the number of vehicles on site with a maximum of five cars allowed in at a time

staff directing residents where to park

only one person leaving their vehicle on site and being permitted on steps or walkways at any one time

only bringing waste or items that can be unloaded by one person as staff will be unable to assist

trailers will not be allowed on site initially.

Mr Watkins added: “Please be respectful to our staff who are doing the best job they can while trying to remain safe. The HWRC will only stay open if residents and staff can stay safe, so please be patient and if large queues are forming, please visit the HWRC another day.

“If you need a permit to access the site, please ensure that this has not expired and apply for a renewed permit, if required, before visiting.

“Help us to keep you safe. Please stay two metres apart and continue to follow the latest government’s guidance.

“We also continue to take fly-tipping very seriously and there will be increased security on site and patrols around the area to prevent this blight on our borough. We are monitoring this anti-social behaviour and will take any necessary action.”

To help ensure traffic can be managed safely when the site reopens, a road closure will be implemented from Monday 18 May until Sunday 14 June between the hours of 7.30am and 5.30pm on Buckingham Hill Road in both directions between the entrance to Linford HWRC and the A1013 Stanford Road. Residents will only be able to access the Linford HWRC from Linford.

Opening hours and site restrictions may be subject to change. Visit thurrock.gov.uk/coronavirus for more information.

To apply for a permit, go to thurrock.gov.uk/hwrcpermit