The borough's Household Waste and Recycling Centre, Garden Waste and Bulky Waste services are due to restart later this month, with strict guidance in place to ensure the safety of residents and staff and to ensure access to Mortlake crematorium.

Townmead Road Waste and Recycling Centre will reopen from Monday 18th May, however there will be significant rules in place regarding when and how people access the centre.

The fortnightly paid for Garden Waste collection service will restart on Monday 18th May and the paid for Bulky Waste collection service will commence on the 26th May. Access to the online booking system to arrange for bulky waste collections will be open from 18th May.

Following updated national guidance, the Government has said that it's reasonable for residents to take waste or recycling to their local centre only if it cannot be safely stored at home or keeping it at home is a risk to public health or the local environment.

In accordance with this guidance, the Council will be putting in place several measures to ensure social distancing and the safety of people who have to use the centre. This includes:

• You should only visit if you cannot store your waste without causing a risk of injury, health or harm.

• The items you need to drop off could not be collected via the Bulky Waste service or reinstated Garden Waste collection service.

• If you are unwell with coronavirus, symptoms of the virus or are self-isolating you should stay at home. Those on the NHS shielded list who are considered extremely medically vulnerable should also not visit.

• Weekday opening times have changed (see table below).

• You can only visit on certain days, based on your car registration number (see table below). This will be based on whether the second digit of your car registration number is 'even' or 'odd'.

• If you can use the weekly household waste and recycling service to dispose of your waste (not green waste)– please do so.

• Staff on site will not provide any assistance to remove or carry items from vehicles.

• Stay 2 metres away from other people.

• We recommend that you wear gloves for your own protection.

• Access to vehicles only. No access for those arriving on foot or bicycle.

As it is anticipated that the Centre will be very busy in the first few weeks of opening, the Council is urging residents to really consider whether visiting is urgent or essential.

Townmead Road is adjacent to the borough's Crematorium – which is currently exceptionally busy with around 20 funerals every day.

The Council will therefore be prioritising access to those vehicles who are attending funerals. Stewards will be in place to monitor and control traffic.

However, residents are encouraged to look at the Council website and Twitter feed before leaving their homes for the latest updates.

In addition, whilst we will have stewards in place helping to coordinate traffic, please be aware that if the site becomes too busy and unsafe, it might close at short notice.

Cllr Martin Elengorn, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee at Richmond Council, said:"I know that many people have been unhappy that we closed Townmead and suspended services.

"However, our priority was to maintain the safety and wellbeing of residents and staff. At the time, Government guidance was clear.

"As we are now able to reopen the site and reinstate services, we ask that residents really consider whether it is essential to jump in the car and go to Townmead.

"Townmead will be really busy. There will be lengthy queues. Therefore, before you decide to visit, please think whether you can leave it for a few weeks or utilise another service.

"Please respectfully think about those people who will be travelling to the Crematorium and the impact your visit may have on their access to this.

"There are 20 funerals a day at the crematorium. Funerals have been limited to only 20 minutes, if people are delayed because they have been blocked by those visiting Townmead, it will be devastating for them.

"Only come if your waste or recycling cannot be safely stored at home or is a risk to public health and the environment. This will also ease the pressure on access to the Crematorium."

Opening times for residents with 'Even' registration number plates based on 2nd digit e.g. XX52 XXX

Wednesday 20th May Open 8am to 4pm

Sunday 24th May Open 9am to 4pm

Thursday 28th May Open 8am to 4pm

Tuesday 19th May Open 8am to 4pm

Saturday 23rd May Open 8am to 4pm

Wednesday 27th May Open 8am to 4pm

Sunday 31 May Open 9am to 4pm

Full details of guidelines and restrictions