Recycling centres in Preston and South Ribble are to remain closed as the national lockdown continues.

The Lancashire County Council sites are currently closed in line with health protection regulations passed at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic which do not include trips to recycling sites within the essential journeys allowed under the lockdown.

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County Councillor Geoff Driver CBE, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “We closed our recycling centres in line with government advice at the start of the lockdown, and the laws which were passed to help the country deal with the virus make clear that people should stay at home except for specific essential journeys.

“I know how much people value the service our recycling centres provide, and we’re now a number of weeks into the lockdown, but the reason they were closed has not changed, and they must remain closed to prevent the spread of the virus.

“We are being advised that we have not yet experienced the peak of the virus in the north of England, and while we would all like to get back to normal, people shouldn’t forget that the lockdown is in place to save lives and reduce the pressure on vital health and care services.

“The vast majority of people understand this, and I’d like to thank them for helping all Lancashire’s councils by continuing to responsibly dispose of their waste using the household collections, and by keeping hold of anything which they’d usually take to a recycling centre.

“Waste collections are continuing, so there is no excuse for fly tipping, and we are working with colleagues in the districts and boroughs to take enforcement action where fly tipping is reported to bring those responsible to book.”

Read more: Fly-tipping rises in Preston and South Ribble during lockdown

Staff who usually work at the recycling sites have been redeployed to help maintain district council collections, and the operation of the county council’s waste processing facilities.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

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