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South Tyneside's Recycling Village is set to move to winter opening hours from Monday 5 October with restrictions also lifted on the use of trailers on site.

From Monday, the Recycling Village will be open every day from 8am to 6pm. Cars with trailers of no more than three metres long, are also being allowed back with a Household Waste Permit.

The 'Even Plate, Even Date / Odd Plate, Odd Date' system will also remain in place at the site on Middlefields Industrial Estate in South Shields.

Councillor Joan Atkinson, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, said: "Over the summer, the Recycling Village has been open from 8am to 8pm, helping people to deal with a backlog of waste and recycling that had built up over the national lockdown period when the site was closed.

"Since reopening, restrictions limiting the type of vehicles allowed to visit have been gradually lifted and the Recycling Village currently accepts a full range of materials.

"Now that visitor numbers and waiting times have reduced, we are pleased to be able to welcome back cars with trailers. However, as space remains limited to support strict social distancing measures, restrictions will remain in place for the use of larger vans.

"This change coincides with the reduced opening hours we tend to operate over the winter season."

The Recycling Village usually operates from 9am to 6pm over the winter months when demand for the site reduces. However, to help manage public demand while space is still restricted, the site will open from the earlier time of 8am. This will remain under review.

The approach road to the Recycling Village along Heddon Way will also reduce back down to one lane, with the two-lane approach, which has been helping to separate traffic on the industrial estate, being reinstated at times of high demand. 

Councillor Atkinson added: "It is extremely important for people to remember that restrictions remain in place on the site and when visiting they must continue to follow the rules around social distancing to help limit the spread of coronavirus.

"We continue to work hard to ensure the guidelines are met for the safety of both staff and visitors and that the site continues to run as safely and efficiently as possible."

Before visiting the Recycling Village, residents are encouraged to check the restrictions in place, particularly around the dates they are permitted to visit and the vehicles allowed on site. Visitors are also urged to separate materials beforehand to reduce time in the 'tipping zones'.

As the Recycling Village is for personal use only, free Household Waste Permits are issued for the disposal of household waste using certain vehicles. Residents can have up to 12 permits a year. The Middlefields Waste Transfer Station is available for businesses and tradespeople and the disposal of commercial waste. 

For further information about visiting the Recycling Village, including details on how to request a Household Waste Permit and current vehicle restrictions, visit the Council's website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/waste