Summer opening hours for borough recycling centres announced

The sites at Kirkless in Higher Ince, Slag Lane in Leigh and the Chanters Industrial Estate in Atherton will be open daily from 8am until 7.45pm, Wigan Council and its waste and recycling partner FCC Environment have confirmed.

Due to Covid-19 the sites are currently operating slightly differently to normal and these alterations will remain in place for now.

This means residents will still need to present proof of residency with photo ID, ideally a driving licence, on arrival.

Wiganers are also being asked to come to the recycling centres alone and observe limits on how many people can be out of their cars at once so social distancing can be managed in the main unloading areas. Face coverings are also recommended.

Cars and vans are allowed but all van-shaped vehicles, pick-ups, minibuses, and campervans require a permit and no vehicle trailers or commercial vehicles of any type are permitted.

If any households have had Covid-19 symptoms, the waste should be left for 72 hours before being brought to site and double-bagged.

Medical waste should be placed in their black bin and the excess waste brought to site.

Asbestos deliveries must be booked in advance and can only be deposited at the Kirkless Recycling Centre on Saturdays in an appointed timeslot.

Government advice on lockdown restrictions is being kept under review and the public will be notified of any changes, FCC Environment and the town hall say.

The authorities say summer opening hours mean there is no excuse for residents to fly-tip rubbish and urged residents to use the ReportIt app to notify the town hall of illegally-dumped waste.

FCC Environment’s contract manager Barry Elder said: "There has been an increasing need for domestic recycling of essential items and it’s important that the necessary services are in place, but they must be safe for everyone – and that includes both essential keyworker staff operating the site and members of the public using the facilities so we must remind residents that normal lockdown protocols and social distancing practices apply."

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