The Vale of Glamorgan Council's Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) are due to reopen from Tuesday, May 26, but by appointment only, in order to help comply with social distancing regulations, protecting residents and staff.

Residents will be able to book an appointment from 9am on Thursday, May 21 via the Council's website.

There will be 3332 slots released today for the next fortnight of bookings, beginning May 26 (2352 slots at Atlantic Trading Estate and 980 for Llandow).

Any resident undertaking a journey to a HWRC within the Vale of Glamorgan must comply with the current Government guidance and adhere to the social distancing measures that are in place to ensure safe operation and use of the centres.

To begin with, only cars will be permitted access to the HWRC on Atlantic Trading Estate, Barry and at Llandow. It will not be possible to provide access or appointment for trailers or vans at this time.

Due to current demand, initially, the Council will be only be issuing one appointment slot per household, per month until further notice.

Residents are asked to only make a booking if it is absolutely necessary, due to the sites' reduced capacity, and to arrive no earlier than five minutes before their allocated time to avoid any unnecessary queuing.

The following guidelines have been put in place:

• Before visiting, residents must sort their waste or recycling appropriately to minimise the time at the site.

• Residents must provide proof of residency e.g. driving licence or utility bill and display this in their windscreen whilst waiting to enter the site.

• Residents must follow on-site safety signs and guidance.

• Residents should only exit their car when advised to do so by a member of site staff.

Please note, staff will be unable to provide assistance with lifting or sorting, so it is important to ensure all waste and recycling is manageable.

Residents are also reminded that if they do not respect social distancing or are abusive to staff they will be asked to leave site.

It is also important to remember that fly-tipping is a crime and leaving items outside the gates of a HWRC, on the street or in parks, woodlands and fields may result in a fixed penalty notice of up to £400 being issued or even prosecution.

Cllr Peter King, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services and Transport, said: "I'd like to thank residents for the assistance they have provided by storing items they wish to dispose of until now.

"Unfortunately, the period during which our Household Waste Recycling Centres were closed means there is now a backlog to clear, which is why we need a strict booking system until demand returns to normal.

"We appreciate this may cause some inconvenience but would ask residents for their patience at this time."