Cuxton tip is due to reopen after being closed for five months due to coronavirus.

The household waste and recycling centre on the A228 Sundridge Hill was closed at the end of March along with tips around the county when the government imposed lockdown measures.

But Medway Council says residents will soon be able to book a trip to the tip as plans progress for its reopening.

Waste and recycling centres in Capstone, Chatham, and Hoath Way, Gillingham, reopened during the easing of lockdown restrictions, and Cuxton is due to follow suit in October, at a date to be confirmed.

A new booking system was put in place to allow customers visiting Medway’s HWRCs to social distance and as part of NHS Test and Trace.

The online booking system will be rolled out to the site at Cuxton - with limited booking capacity initially to ensure traffic is not impacted on this busy road.

Customers will be allocated time slots and encouraged to stagger their visits within the one hour 45 minute time frame to avoid queuing on the road, which is close to major network routes.

Motorists are encouraged to queue sensibly and avoid blocking the carriageway, and the council says the site will only remain open if it is safe.

Customers must also bring their booking reference number with them and wear gloves on site.

Cllr Phil Filmer, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services and covering waste disposal, said: “The reopening of our household waste and recycling centres in Capstone and Hoath Way has been a success, with residents and staff adapting well to the changes. I am pleased we are now in a position to reopen the site at Cuxton in October, giving our residents an additional facility to recycle their unwanted items.

“Due to the location of the site at Cuxton, we will be limiting the number of customers gaining access during each time slot to reduce queueing on the road for the safety of all motorists. Staff will carefully manage traffic flow through the site for everyone’s safety and to ensure social distancing can be maintained.

“Thank you to residents for your patience while we finalised plans to be able to safely reopen our third household waste and recycling centre, giving Medway residents greater opportunities to recycle and help keep Medway clean and tidy.”

Residents are now able to book a maximum of two trips to the centres each calendar month.

To book a visit to Capstone or Hoath Way HWRC, visit medway.gov.uk/tipbooking

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