Plans are being made to reopen the Somerley Household Waste Recycling Centre aka Verwood Tip starting May 11th.
The date is subject to further guidance expected from the Government next week on travel to a tip during the COVID-19 outbreak.
All Household Waste Recycling Centres were temporarily closed at the end of March following the Government’s announcement that people should stay at home to protect the NHS and prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and only travel for very limited and specific reasons.
Councillor Rob Humby, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at Hampshire County Council, said: “As the country begins to consider steps for coming out of lockdown, I appreciate how opening HWRCs is seen as an important way forward. We have been working on plans to reopen our sites for people to use where it is essential they do so because they cannot store their waste without causing a risk of injury, health or harm.”
“When Hampshire’s HWRCs are ready to re-open – a range of new measures will be in place. This will mean that things will be very different and I would ask people to be patient. Rather like supermarkets, social distancing measures will apply, limiting the number of people allowed in at any one time and operating reduced opening hours so the sites can be thoroughly cleaned each day.
“I can also confirm that in view of the current circumstances we will not be enforcing the number plate recognition provisions during this period but allow more time for Hampshire residents to register their car registrations.”
Verwood residents will continue to receive unregistered, free access to the Household Waste Recycling Centre between Verwood and Ringwood.