THE potential for queues at Kidderminster's recycling centre is one of the reasons the site is yet to reopen, the council has confirmed.

Two more household recycling centres in Droitwich and Worcester reopened last week, bringing the number operating across the county to nine out of 11.

Only Kidderminster and Upton-upon-Severn tips remain closed, and the council is yet to confirm when the Worcester Road site will reopen.

Councillor Tony Miller, cabinet member for environment, said: “Following the opening of seven of the household recycling centres in Worcestershire as of May 11, it was important to understand how the new operating arrangements would work.

"We have continued to work with our contractor to reopen more household recycling centres, thereby increasing the total capacity available for residents to dispose of their household waste.

"This should assist in relieving pressure on both the sites already operational and also the highways network. To reopen more sites - beyond the initial seven - requires additional resourcing recognising the new social distancing and operating measures at each of the locations.

"The sites in Droitwich and Worcester West have a combination of reasonable off road queuing, longer opening hours and size, which combined provides for safer operations and greater capacity, alleviating some of the pressure on the other centres that have already been reopened.

"As regards the site in Kidderminster, there are particular challenges in relation to the new operating procedures and potential for queuing that we continue to work with our contractor and colleagues to resolve.”

Cars queued to access the Bonemill recycling centre in Stourport when it reopened with strict social distancing measures and visitor restrictions last month.

Under new social distancing measures, reopened recycling centres are currently operating a one in, one out policy and staff are not assisting visitors with unloading.

For information on the restrictions in place, visit the council website.