Rutland Council Council is looking to re-open its Household Waste and Recycling Centres at Cottesmore and North Luffenham.

Both sites are currently closed to support government social distancing measures and ensure that roadside waste collections are maintained through the redeployment of staff.

However, with the government issuing new guidance to councils on the issue, the county council hopes to have at least one site open by the end of May.

But it has warned that significant planning and preventative measures must be put in place first to protect residents and staff, as well as manage any increase in traffic and waste volumes.

Councillor Gordon Brown, Cabinet Member for Waste and the Environment, said: "We understand that many people would like to see local waste and recycling centres open again. We are considering how this might be possible.

"However, we need to be confident that any safety concerns are addressed before we reopen to members of the public.

"Given the local demand for these services, it is also highly likely that additional management of the sites will be needed to avoid traffic congestion in the vicinity.

"Household Waste and Recycling Centres will remain closed until we are satisfied that all necessary measures are in place."

He added: "We will be consulting local communities close to the sites about our plans and will share further details and timescales for reopening in due course."

Earlier this week local government minister, Newark MP Robert Jenrick, told parliament he had written to councils telling them to re-open tips and recycling centres.

Mr Jenrick told the Commons: "Our bin men and women have done a fantastic job maintaining the vast majority of collections.

"I'm asking councils to plan the organised re-opening of household waste collection sites. I expect this to happen over the coming weeks and will be publishing amended guidance shortly."