Tip reopening: Bookings open for Hartlepool's Household Waste Recycling Centre - this is what you need to know

Hartlepool Borough Council announced last week it was introducing a booking system and other measures to enable it to safely manage the reopening of the Burn Road site, in line with Covid-19 guidance.

It was confirmed the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) will be reopening from Wednesday, May 13, but only to residents who book in advance.

Council chiefs have now revealed the site will be open from 9am until 3.30pm, Wednesday to Sunday and visits will be limited to ten minutes.

Due to layout changes to accommodate social distancing restrictions, only certain types of waste will be accepted initially.

This includes up to 10 bags of general household waste, up to 10 bags of garden waste, mattresses, cardboard and large electrical items such as fridges, freezers and televisions.

Residents can also bring recycling which would normally be placed in their grey bin.

Hartlepool residents will be able to book a visit from 2pm today (Thursday May 7) by telephoning the Council’s Contact Centre on (01429) 523333.

Alternatively from 8.30am on Monday they can visit www.hartlepool.gov.uk/HWRCbookings and book a slot online.

Additionally council bosses have said the Burn Road site will only be open to Hartlepool residents, and proof of address will need to be provided when booking.

This can be done by providing a copy of a document showing current address, including a driving licence, utility bill or bank statement, or giving consent for addresses to be validated with details already held on council systems.

Tony Hanson, the council’s assistant director for environment and neighbourhood services, called for residents to be patient as they reopen key services such as the Burn Road site.

He said: “These are unprecedented times and the safety of the public and our employees is paramount.

“Therefore, we would ask that people remain patient with us and that staff are treated with respect.

“If it is not possible to maintain the safety of staff and the public the Council may be forced to close the site again.

“Also, the council is clear in its view that priority services must come first and if such services, including our kerbside household refuse collections, experience staff shortages as a result of Covid-19 cases then the site may need to close again without notice.”

Residents will also need to confirm the vehicle they will be using, including the registration number, make and model.

The site will be open to cars only, no vans or trailers will be allowed, and there will be strictly no pedestrian access.

Additionally residents with a booking should not go straight to the HWRC, and should first go to the former Havelock Centre car park in Havelock Street, TS24 7LT (just off Mainsforth Terrace) approximately 10 minutes before their scheduled visit.

This will allow booking details to be checked and vehicles will then be sent on to the Burn Road site.

To prevent traffic problems and ensure that the booking system can operate smoothly, queuing will not be permitted on Burn Road.

Only 4 cars will be permitted access to the HWRC at any one time to ensure residents are not placed at risk.

Council chiefs stressed they will not be able to accommodate for missed appointments, and it is down to users to arrive on time.

Only two adults per household will be allowed on site and two metre social distancing will be strictly enforced at all times.

Staff will not be able to help with unloading vehicles and children and animals will not be allowed out of the vehicles.

Council chiefs also stressed anyone who is in self-isolation or displaying Covid-19 symptoms must not visit the HWRC under any circumstances.

Additionally waste from households where members have had virus symptoms should be double-bagged and left for at least 72 hours before being disposed of at the site.

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