A council tip which failed to open when other sites started welcoming visitors is being brought back into use next week – although there will be some changes.

Dorset Council says it is pleased to announce that Sherborne Household Recycling Centre (HRC) in West Mill Lane will be re-opening on Tuesday, June 2.

However, there will be different measures in place for visitors to follow if they want to drop off their waste, which will involve being redirected to another location first.

Sherborne HRC was the only Dorset Council recycling centre not to reopen earlier in May. This is because it shares an access road with a Waste Transfer Station, which is where the waste at the kerbside goes after collection. More planning was required to prevent queuing traffic – seen at all other HRCs across Dorset - disrupting bin collections by obstructing waste collection vehicles.

Dorset Council’s Waste Service officers have been working closely with Sherborne Town Council for the last few weeks and have found a solution that prevents excessive traffic queues, but also allows residents to drop off waste that cannot be safely stored at home.

When the Sherborne HRC re-opens all visitors should proceed to the Terrace Playing Fields car-park (situated on the southern edge of Sherborne at Dancing Hill). At this point they will take a paper ticket. When the queue at the HRC becomes short enough the number will be called by on-site staff, at which point they can visit the HRC to drop off their waste. Visitors without a ticket will not be able to enter.

Social distancing measures are in place at all HRCs.

Visitors are asked to note:

* Do not arrive at the Terrace Playing Fields car park early – operating hours are 9am to 6pm daily

* Do not visit the HRC directly or if you are unwell

* Stay 2m away from all people on site outside of your household

* HRC staff will not be able to assist with carrying items

* Only one person should leave the vehicle to unload waste, two if unloading heavy items

* Bring a maximum of two waste types per visit

* Reuse areas will remain closed

* Charges still apply for some waste types, but contactless payments only – no cash

* On your return from the HRC, do not touch your face and wash your hands for 20 seconds on arrival at your destination