No re-opening date for Sunderland tips and household recycling centres as council awaits Government guidance

Sunderland City Council closed its Household Waste and Recycling Centres on Tuesday, March 24, in the wake of Prime Minister Boris Johnsons lockdown announcement the evening before.

Now its leaders are looking at reopening it again after Communities secretary Robert Jenrick said local authorities should open their gates in coming weeks in an announcement made to the House of Commons.

He has said he has asked councils to “safely plan the organised opening of household waste collection sites - in line with social distancing guidelines - as a priority,” adding guidance would be issued soon.

The reopening date for Sunderland’s site and another in Campground in Wrekenton, which is shared with Gateshead residents, are yet to be confirmed.

Others around the country have said they will restart the service from this Saturday, May 2, while others plan to operate with revised hours.

Cabinet member for environment and transport, Councillor Amy Wilson, said: “Following Government guidance on Household Waste and Recycling Centres, the council closed its centres at Beach Street and Campground at the end of March.

“We have kept the closures under review and work has started on identifying all the necessary measures to support re-opening.

“We will be considering the amended Government guidance as soon as it is available.”

The announcement by Mr Jenrick came as he said extra cash will be given to councils to fund their coronavirus response as they were asked to plan re-opening tips, with £3.2 billion of additional money and support already committed.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Jenrick said: "Our bin men and women have done a fantastic job maintaining the vast majority of collections.

"The Government published advice to councils on how to ensure the safety of refuse collections on April 7 and today I am announcing that I'm asking councils to plan the organised re-opening of household waste collection sites.”

He said he expects that to happen over coming weeks and added his thanks to local government workers, saying their efforts were "making the difference in this national endeavour".

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