THERE will be a phased reopening of most of Surrey’s community recycling centres (CRC) from Monday, May 11, Surrey County Council has confirmed.

However, there are limits to the numbers of people on each site, changes to what materials are accepted and revised opening hours.

Residents should only use the CRCs if they absolutely need to, and must check for the latest information before they travel at surreycc.gov.uk/recycling or by calling 03456 009 009 as these arrangements are subject to change.

To maintain social distancing, a reduced number of visitors will be able to visit a CRC at any time – residents should come alone as only one person will be permitted to leave each car.

During the first reopening phase, residents can only bring black bag waste and garden waste. These are the most common materials people drop off at this time of year, and what residents are more likely to be storing for disposal.

No other waste can be accepted at this time, and the reuse shops are staying closed.

Limiting the CRCs to two materials means visitors will be able to park in alternate parking bays with dedicated access to containers.

Opening hours have been extended to help as many people as possible to pass through each day – but queues are still expected outside the sites so the council is urging residents to be patient.

In addition, residents can only bring their waste in cars – no vans, pick ups or trailers will be allowed into the CRCs, nor will pedestrians on foot.

Staff have been told they cannot help with unpacking cars, so if one person isn’t able to carry the waste, the council is advising it should be left at home.

Smaller sites in Bagshot, Caterham, Cranleigh, Dorking and Warlingham are staying closed – but Witley and Farnham CRCs are among those reopening (opening hours below).

Residents are asked to hold onto other materials they need to take to CRCs, such as card, wood, metal, electricals and construction waste.

The intention is to move to a second reopening phase after a few weeks when the full range of materials can be accepted, but only when it is safe to do.

The council has said it will continue to only allow reduced numbers on sites to maintain social distancing, however.

Mike Goodman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste at Surrey County Council, said: “I would like to thank all the waste staff in Surrey for working so hard to maintain residential collections. The dedication of these key workers to keeping this service running across the county during the lockdown has been exceptional.

“I’m also grateful for the patience of our residents during the closure of the CRCs, and for holding on to their waste to prevent the collections from being overwhelmed.

“Balancing the competing need to maintain social distancing alongside reopening our highly valued recycling centres is vital. I believe these arrangements will help visitors and staff stay far enough apart, while helping residents to clear their excess black bag and garden waste as quickly as possible.

“But I would still encourage residents to only visit the CRCs if they really need to, and make the most of residential waste, recycling and garden waste collection services. We will keep these measures under review, but expect them to remain in place for a few weeks while residents clear their backlog of waste.”

CRCs phase one opening times:

* Chertsey, Earlswood, Epsom, Guildford, Leatherhead, Shepperton, Witley and Woking CRCs: opening hours: 9am-6pm, seven days a week.

* Camberley and Farnham CRCs: opening hours: 9am-4pm, seven days a week.

* Bagshot, Caterham, Cranleigh, Dorking and Warlingham CRCs: remain closed

It comes just days after Hampshire County Council announced its CRCs would reopen in the week commencing May 11.