Recycling centres in Kent will reopen to the public for use from next Friday.

Kent County Council has revealed that all 18 centres will reopen across the county, less than two months after they closed as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown.

The sites will be open between 9am and 3pm, and users will have to book slots to be able to use them.

People will be able to book a slot either online or by phone from next Wednesday, with details on how to book due to be released next week.

Only one trip will be available for each household in any four-week period to allow as many people as possible to have access to sites.

To visit, users will have to bring proof of their booking - either a booking reference number or a confirmation email.

The number of slots available will differ with each site so staff can ensure social distancing is maintained.

Medway Council has also set up an online booking system ahead of Capstone and Hoath Way reopening from Friday.

Further plans will be put in place for the site at Cuxton.

Medway’s head of front line services Cllr Phil Filmer, said: “We know there is demand for these much-appreciated and additional facilities to be reopened. However, it is essential that we do so in a way that keeps people safe and avoids customers having to wait in long queues. Implementing a booking only system is the best way to achieve this.”

The same as elsewhere households can only book one visit per calendar month.

Customers will be asked to show their booking reference on arrival - either on a device such as a phone or a print out. The online booking system is anticipated to go live next Wednesday

Cllr Filmer added: “I’d personally like to thank the crews and all the staff who have maintained our excellent weekly service during these challenging and busy times. Thank you also to Medway residents for your cooperation during this time..”

"I am immeasurably proud of the work our waste team has put in to getting these sites reopened..."

KCC Cabinet Member for Environment Cllr Susan Carey (Con) said: “I know how valued our waste and recycling sites are to the people of Kent and I am immeasurably proud of the work our waste team has put in to getting these sites reopened.

“The booking system, which was developed by Medway Council, is crucial to ensure we can keep visitor numbers at a level where social distancing can be maintained and minimise queuing.

“Our focus over the last few weeks has been in ensuring kerbside collections provided by district and borough councils continued, and our teams were redeployed to support those crews.

“Kerbside collections across Kent are now all, or about to be, fully reinstated by the districts and boroughs, including garden waste services.”

KCC's Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, Cllr Ian Chittenden, has urged residents to be "patient" and "considerate" when using the centres by keeping within social distancing guidelines and only visiting when they have booked a slot. He said: "We are all in this together."

Police had been made aware and would "keep an eye" on the situation at the centres but it was hoped they would not need to intervene, Cllr Chittenden said.

Cllr Chittenden added: "The centres will have to be controlled internally. Staff will have to assess how many people are going to the sites because there will be a lot of people anxious to get there."

Margate representative Cllr Barry Lewis (Lab), who supported the move, said: "I'm delighted that KCC has seen sense at last.

"It will hopefully negate the increases in fly-tipping in Thanet and across the rest of Kent.

"Given the financial situation people find themselves in, it will be a good thing if KCC decides to remove all charges at the sites until the lockdown has been lifted."

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