Wolverhampton tips will not open 'until it is safe'
Wolverhampton's tips will remain closed for the time-being as council bosses say the reopening is "under consideration" during the coronavirus pandemic.
It comes after Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said he had written to councils telling them to plan to reopen tips and recycling centres.
But Wolverhampton Council bosses say their tips – in Shaw Road and Anchor Lane – will only reopen when it is safe to do so.
Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment, said: "The Government’s lockdown measures include the instruction of essential journeys only to delay the spread of Covid-19 to keep people safe.
"Discussions about reopening tips, along with other council services, are under consideration and we will re-open when it is safe to do so and in line with Government guidance.
“In the meantime, residents who have large household items they would like to dispose of, can use our bulky item collection service which re-opened this week."
Staffordshire County Council's tips in Bilbrook and Wombourne will also remain closed.
Mark Deaville, Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for commercial, said: "We are monitoring the situation and are keeping in touch with the Government and neighbouring local authorities.
“When the time is right it is very likely that we will reopen the sites with social distancing rules in place and we will publicise all those arrangements beforehand.”
Mr Jenrick has said councils should be confident to reopen tips “as soon as possible”, although there have been warnings that protective equipment for waste workers and proper social distancing should be in place.
