Tips to reopen in England for first time since lockdown began
Research shows that fly-tipping has been increasing since centres were closed due to coronavirus
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Your support makes all the difference.Tips have started to reopen in England for the first time since lockdown began, with queues of cars seen outside some facilities in Manchester.
Some household waste recycling centres were reopened by Greater Manchester Combined Authority on Saturday.
Restrictions and social distancing measures are in place at these tips.
Robert Jenrick, the local government secretary, said councils should be confident to reopen tips “as soon as possible”.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: "While we are reopening centres, this is not a return to normal.
"We would ask the public to limit their journeys and only travel to a household waste and recycling centre if it is absolutely essential to do so."
To control the number of visitors, only vehicles with number plates ending in even numbers were permitted to use the centres.
There are also limits on the number of cars let in to the sites, which are only accepting bagged general waste.
Councillor David Renard, environment spokesman for the Local Government Association (LGA) said police would have to manage “inevitable” traffic queues at tips.
He added that it was also crucial for staff to be given PPE.
Recent research from the universities of Southampton and Portsmouth suggests that fly-tipping has increased dramatically in rural areas during the lockdown.
This followed the closure of almost all tips due to the coronavirus and an increase in DIY projects caused by people being stuck at home.
PA
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