Yorkshire councils including North Yorkshire and Bradford reopen waste centres

The Government has published updated guidance for local authorities on reopening the centres, many of which were closed when the country went into lockdown.

Closure of tips and curbs on some waste collections, along with more waste being generated by people embarking on spring clean clear-outs, DIY projects and gardening, has raised concerns over an increase in fly-tipping.

The latest guidance says there is no reason in law for the sites staying closed, and local authorities should try to open dumps where possible if social distancing can be maintained and the public and staff kept safe. Some of Bradford’s waste tips will reopen by Monday - details of which ones will be released later this week - but the district council is warning against rushing out, saying that queues could endanger people.

Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “Please don’t rush out with all your rubbish as soon as the sites are open.

“You could end up queuing for ages and putting yourself at risk.

“If you can wait a week or two, please do so. We appreciate your patience while we do our best to get the service back to as normal as we can.”

Half of North Yorkshire’s household waste recycling centres will reopen today.

Not all sites can be opened yet because of their size, layout and proximity to roads.

Coun Andrew Lee, Executive Member for Waste Management, said “other sites as soon as we can” and asked people to “only if you are struggling.”

In North Yorkshire, waste sites reopening include Catterick Bridge, Leeming Bar, Seamer Carr, Selby, Skipton, Sowerby, Stokesley, Thornton le Dale, West Harrogate and Whitby.