RECYCLING centres in Reading and Bracknell will stay open during the third national lockdown.

Re3, the recycling service which runs the Smallmead and Longshot Lane tips on behalf of Reading, Bracknell and Wokingham borough councils, confirmed the sites would not close over the coming weeks.

However, residents are only able to enter the sites with a booking, and this booking should only be made if it is essential.

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Trips to the tip are deemed essential if residents are no longer able to safely store their waste at home, or if it cannot be disposed of safely by council collections.

Visitors are asked to keep a two-metre distance at all times, arrive within their time slot and to reduce contact with staff.

To book, residents should head to Re3’s website. The recycling centres are open from 8am to 6pm daily.

Those who do make bookings are being asked to cancel them in advance if they can no longer attend and to only make one booking per week.

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Access will be denied without a booking.

Residents who have tested positive for coronavirus, who are in a period of isolation or who a showing symptoms of covid-19 are not allowed to make bookings.

Visitors are also being reminded to:

  • Bring proof of residency with them i.e. driving licence, a council tax bill and booking confirmation.
  • Wash hands before and after visit
  • Double bag contaminated waste
  • Sort waste before leaving home to make trip more efficient
  • Travel alone, if are able to handle waste yourself

An Re3 spokesperson said: “The re3 recycling centres on Longshot Lane, Bracknell and Island Road, Reading will continue to be open during the national lockdown with continued safety measures and a booking system in place.

"Residents should follow the government ‘stay at home’ advice and only book and visit the recycling centre if they are no longer able to store their waste at home. Whenever possible, residents are asked to prioritise kerbside collections services over a visit to the recycling centres during the lockdown period. To book a slot, residents need to use the “Click and Tip” service.

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"To make a journey to the recycling centres as safe as possible, residents are asked to strictly follow social distancing guidelines and only arrive if they have a valid booking. In line with the Public Health England guidance, residents who are showing symptoms such as high temperature, continuous cough or loss of smell or taste, or have tested positive for Coronavirus must cancel their booking and not visit the recycling centres.”