ONE tip will reopen in Bury this weekend for bagged general waste only amid fears of a rise in fly tipping.

The household waste recycling centre at Cemetery Road in Radcliffe will be open every day starting from this Saturday.

A four-week rota system based on odd and even number plates will be introduced at household waste recycling centres to control traffic and limit the potential for staff and the public to be exposed to coronavirus.

Bury Council reopened some of the borough’s dog waste bins last week after pets’ waste was found on top of or next to sealed bins and, in some cases, even hung from a tree or left it in the bushes.

The Cemetery Road tip will be open from 9am to 3pm on Mondays to Fridays and from 8am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

The household waste recycling centre in Every Street will remain closed.

Cllr Alan Quinn is the cabinet member for the environment at Bury Council.

He said: “It’s absolutely vital that the people of Bury continue to work with us here.

“Public safety, safety of the staff and the need for social distancing is paramount – only consider visiting the tip if it is genuinely essential, in other words if you have extra waste that is causing a health risk.

“Also, regular household – grey bin – waste, bagged up, is the only waste that the centres will be taking. Do not bring along garden waste, furniture or electrical items – these will not be taken. You will have wasted your journey.

“Make sure that you go to the tip on the correct day, depending on your car registration plate, and take your proof of address, such as a utility bill, and remember that no trade waste, large vans or trailers will be allowed. Have patience if waiting in a queue, and remember residents living near the sites.

“In Bury, we have continued to keep all four household bin collections going, thanks to the huge efforts of our staff and crews. Please continue to use all your recycling bins, and store any excess items at home until the lockdown is over.

“Our residents have been superb over these last few weeks, however, I have to add this: any intimidating behaviour, threats towards staff or local residents will result in the household waste recycling centres being shut.”

Some restrictions and new measures will be in place at tips to protect the health and wellbeing of residents and staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

Household waste recycling centres will be accepting bagged general waste only. This is the waste that would go in your grey bin.

They will be open to Greater Manchester residents who show proof of address, such as a council tax, gas, or electricity bill.

Social distancing measures will be in place and the number of cars allowed on to the sites will be limited.

Only one person will be allowed out of their vehicle to dispose of their waste.

Staff will be unable to assist with unloading and no pedestrian access will be permitted.

Number plates ending with odd numbers – one, three, five, seven and nine – will be allowed on some days, while number plates ending with even numbers – zero, two, four, six and eight – will be allowed on the others.

Bury Times:

The Salford Road tip will not be open during the week to ensure council refuse vehicles can continue to tip rubbish there daily, without being held up by potential queues of traffic.

At last week’s Greater Manchester COVID-19 Emergency Committee, the nine councils which make up the Greater Manchester Waste Authority agreed to reopen some recycling centres, following in the footsteps of Wigan Council.

The decision was taken in accordance with government guidelines and is based on staffing, accessibility, and the agreement of traffic management plans with local authorities.

Reopening is being carefully planned and managed with the involvement of Greater Manchester Police.

Among the criteria being taken into account are staffing arrangements at waste disposal facilities operated by SUEZ, with more staff deployed to handle the increased volume of waste and recycling picked up during household bin collections.

Metro Mayor Andy Burnham thanked the people of Greater Manchester for their patience while these facilities have been closed.

He 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.

“If the situation becomes unmanageable we may have to reassess this decision, but that is not something we want to do and, I hope, will not become necessary. Let’s everyone stay safe and look after each other at this difficult time.”

Information about how to manage and dispose of waste, and the latest updates on household waste recycling centres, can be found at www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com.