An online booking system has been launched for Rutland residents who want to use North Luffenham Recycling Centre from Tuesday.

North Luffenham Recycling Centre is currently open six days a week (10am to 6pm, Tuesday to Sunday).

However, a temporary one-way system is in place leading to and from the site as part of measures put in place to manage traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trailers are also currently banned from the site.

As part of plans to return to a full Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC) service by June 21, Rutland County Council has confirmed that all temporary traffic restrictions around North Luffenham Recycling Centre will be lifted on Tuesday April27 and a new exit gate at the site will be brought into use for the first time. The use of trailers at North Luffenham will be reviewed in May.

To make sure site operations continue to run smoothly and safely at North Luffenham as COVID restrictions are lifted, Rutland County Council is introducing a temporary booking system, with residents required to book a 20-minute time slot in order to visit the site from Tuesday April 27 onwards.

Bookings to use North Luffenham Recycling Centre can be made online by visiting: www.rutland.gov.uk/hwrcbooking. Anyone who is unable to book online because they do not have access to the internet can book by calling: 01572 722 577.

From Tuesday April 27, you will not be able to access North Luffenham Recycling Centre unless you have booked in advance.

Rutland County Council's second recycling centre at Cottesmore is currently closed due to the impact of COVID-19.

The Council has confirmed it plans to reopen Cottesmore Recycling Centre on Monday May 17 and that residents will be able to book timeslots at Cottesmore two weeks before the site reopens. Trailers will not be permitted at Cottesmore Recycling Centre. However, this will be kept under review.

Notes

• Access for trailers

Trailers are currently banned from North Luffenham HWRC. However, this will be reviewed in May to consider whether they can be reintroduced. Trailers will continue to be banned from Cottesmore HWRC when the site reopens on 17 May.

• Return to full Household Waste and Recycling (HWRC) service in Rutland

Key dates to note as part of this process are as follows:

* Monday 12 April: The temporary booking system to reserve a time slot at North Luffenham HWRC was made live. Opening days remain unchanged (Tuesday – Sunday)

• Tuesday 27 April: From this date, you will not be able to use North Luffenham HWRC unless you have booked in advance. Temporary traffic restrictions will be removed, meaning two-way traffic flow will be reinstated along Glebe Road. The new exit gate at North Luffenham HWRC will also be brought into use for the first time

• Tuesday 4 May: The temporary booking system to reserve a time slot at Cottesmore HWRC will go live

• Monday 17 May: Cottesmore HWRC will reopen to those who have booked in advance. Opening days will be Friday – Monday

Monday 21 June: In line with the Government's proposed removal of all legal limits on social contact, the Council hopes to lift all COVID restrictions across its two HWRC sites

The continuing need for a booking system to manage traffic at both sites will be reviewed after 21 June, with the intention of removing this as soon as it's safe.