South Tyneside Council exploring options for reopening Middlefields Recycling Village

Bosses at South Tyneside Council have promised they are ‘continually looking’ at different ways to maintain existing services and restarting suspended ones during the coronavirus lockdown.

But they have hinted agreements may be needed with neighbouring authorities before facilities such as the Middlefields Recycling Village can be brought back into use.

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“When we’re able to reopen the facility at Middlefields we will do so,” said George Mansbridge, the council’s corporate director for Regeneration and Environment.

“But it will require new guidance and also a coordinated response with neighbouring authorities.

“If we reopen the facility we will need to maintain social distancing and traffic management.”

Mansbridge was speaking at a meeting of the council’s ruling cabinet on April 29, which was held virtually and broadcast online for the first time due to social distancing restrictions.

Although household waste collections have continued largely unaffected in South Tyneside throughout the COVID-19 lockdown so far, garden waste collections have been suspended and the Recycling Village closed.

Neighbouring councils for Gateshead, North Tyneside and Sunderland have also shut their tips and recycling centres.

Mansbridge added: “I can assure cabinet, council officers are continually looking at improving services during COVID-19.

“That includes green waste services and the recycling village, but it is important we take this approach in line with the guidance from the government to protect employees and residents.

“Domestic waste collection has continued despite managing a significant staff absence.”

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