The first day of controlled reopening at a Smugglers Way tip was busy as people arrived to drop off waste they could not store safely at home.

The picture above shows the queue at 4pm, two hours after recycling centre in Wandsworth reopened.

The Western Riverside Waste Authority (WRWA) opened the gates to the tips at Smugglers Way and Cringle Dock in Vauxhall this Monday (11 May) for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown March.

The WRWA tips are used by Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City Councils, along with Wandsworth and Lambeth.

People can only drop off green garden waste and bagged general waste – the rubbish that they put in their rubbish bin and no other waste or recycling will be accepted.

The opening is staggered with different days allotted for motorists depending on whether their cars have odd or even number plates.

It saw a change in opening hours, social distancing on site and controls on the number of cars which can visit to prevent congestion.

A spokeswoman said the household waste recycling centre at Smugglers Way “was very busy for the first couple of hours after opening at 2pm, although the majority of the public were being patient and understanding and so far mostly seem to be adhering to the new restrictions relating to admissions based on car registration numbers.”

She added: “The public would do better to arrive later in the day to avoid queuing, since we are now open until 8pm during the week.”

And the team has stressed that people should check the WRWA website before leaving home and can also check the live webcam to get an idea of the queuing time.

People can only visit recycling centres if they can’t store waste or recycling at home without “causing a risk of injury, health or harm to the resident or other members of their household or harm to public health and amenity”.

And WRWA said they must stay away if they have coronavirus symptoms or their household is following the 14-day isolation rules.

Weekly opening times have changed and people can only visit on certain days, depending on their car registration numbers.

They have to stick to the strict two-metre social distancing rules too and are advised to wear gloves for their own protection.

OPENING TIMES FOR RESIDENTS WITH ‘ODD’ REGISTRATION NUMBER PLATES BASED ON 2ND DIGIT E.G. XX03 XXX PLUS OLD UK STYLE, INTERNATIONAL, PERSONALISED, ETC.

Monday, 11th May – Open 2pm to 8pm

Wednesday, 13th May – Open 2pm to 8pm

Friday, 15th May – Open 2pm to 8pm

Sunday, 17th May – Open 8am to 5pm

Tuesday, 19th May – Open 2pm to 8pm

Thursday 21st May – Open 2pm to 8pm

Saturday, 23rd May – Open 8am to 6pm

OPENING TIMES FOR RESIDENTS WITH ‘EVEN’ REGISTRATION NUMBER PLATES BASED ON 2ND DIGIT E.G. XX52 XXX.

Tuesday, 12th May – Open 2pm to 8pm

Thursday, 14th May – Open 2pm to 8pm

Saturday, 16th May – Open 8am to 6pm

Monday, 18th May – Open 2pm to 8pm

Wednesday, 20th May – Open 2pm to 8pm

Friday, 22nd May – Open 2pm to 8pm

Sunday, 24th May – Open 8am to 5pm

If you are arriving on foot or by bike, you will only be able to drop off bagged General waste and there will be a pedestrian one-way system in operation.

For residents arriving at both Smugglers Way and Cringle Dock Waste Transfer stations in vans the centres will be operating during usual hours for pre-registered vehicles.

You will only be permitted to tip if you arrive wearing sturdy, closed-in shoes (no flip flops or open-toe sandals) and have a Hi-Viz vest or jacket (they can be purchased at the Weighbridge Office for £9.00 while stocks last).

You are required to pre-register your van before arriving on site in order that you can drop off your Household Waste for free. You will also be required to produce ID which should be shown to the Weighbridge Clerk by holding it up against the Weighbridge Office window.

Julia Gregory - Local Democracy Reporter

May 12, 2020