A new booking system is now in place for Rutland residents who need to use North Luffenham Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC).

This change came into effect on Tuesday 27 April and means that anyone who wants to visit the site must have booked a 20-minute slot in advance.

The temporary measure has been introduced to make sure site operations continue to run smoothly and safely at North Luffenham as COVID restrictions are gradually lifted.

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

Bookings 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.

Trailers remain banned from North Luffenham HWRC. However, this will be reviewed in May to consider whether they can be reintroduced.

As part of plans to return to a full HWRC service by June 2021, all temporary traffic restrictions around North Luffenham Recycling Centre were lifted on Tuesday 27 April and a new exit gate at the site was brought into use for the first time.

Coun Lucy Stephenson, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services at Rutland County Council, said: "With COVID restrictions now being eased, we hope to be in a position where we return to a full service across both our recycling centre sites by late June.

"The advance booking system now in place at North Luffenham is there to ensure that the site can operate safely and effectively. Please book in advance and bring your booking confirmation with you, when you visit."

Coun Stephenson continued: "We are also working toward the reopening of Cottesmore HWRC on Monday 17 May. Residents will be able to start making advanced bookings for Cottesmore from Tuesday 4 May.

"When the site does reopen, it will operate four days a week, from Friday to Monday. The need for using booking systems to manage traffic at both our HWRC sites will be reviewed after 21 June, in line with the Government's proposed removal of all legal limits on social contact."