Dunamanagh and Newtown recycling centres set to open

Newtownstewart and Dunamanagh recycling centre sites are set to reopen next week as part of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s phased recovery to its waste management service provision during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Newtownstewart and Dunamanagh sites will reopen from Monday, June 01, from 10am to 7pm, Monday to Friday and from 10am to 5pm on Saturdays. This brings to seven the number of household recycling centres reopened to the public since the lifting of Government restrictions earlier this month.

In order to facilitate the provisional of these services, the opening times at Claudy and Strahan’s Road in Strabane will resume to their original opening times of 8am to 5pm and 1 am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, respectively, with Strahans Road also opening on Saturdays from 10am to 5pm.

The remaining sites at Pennyburn, Glendermott Road and Strathfoyle will continue to operate from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 6pm on Saturdays. Sunday opening will continue from 1pm to 5pm at Pennyburn and Glendermott Road sites only.

Please note that cars with trailers will now be accepted at all household recycling centre sites with some restrictions in place for those wishing to avail of the sites with a large van – these will only be accommodated between 10am and 11am at Pennyburn, Strathfoyle and Strahans Road sites only.

The remaining four household sites at Eglinton, Plumbridge and Park will continue to be closed to the public under review.

The council is also looking at a range of options to provide additional waste service provision for those living in the Castlederg and Killeter areas to help address issues incurred with the closure of the Killen site. It is hoped that these new arrangements will be finalised soon with details being made available next week.

Urging the public to be adhere to the restrictions and controls that continue to be in place at all its centres, the Council says these measures are to ensure the health and safety of staff and the public using the site and have been taken in consideration of social distancing requirements.

In addition to having in place a one-way system, the council has advised that in keeping with the DAERA guidelines, the number of cars accessing the sites at any one time will continue to be restricted.

Only one person will be permitted to leave their vehicle to dispose of waste with staff unable to provide assistance during this emergency period.

The public are asked to avoid bringing bulky waste onto the site during the initial reopening phase and encouraged to continue to use the Bulky Waste Collection Service and to also avoid visiting the recycling centres during peak times.

Anyone intending to dispose of black bags must ensure they are double bagged and have been stored for a 72-hour period before disposal, as per PHA guidelines.

In order to protect staff and the wider public, social distancing is required within all the sites and the public will be required to unload their own waste. Members of the public experiencing symptoms or who are self-isolating must not enter the recycling centres.

Council will have staff on hand to offer guidance only however, it is imperative that the public adhere to their instructions at all times and co-operate fully with them as they continue to provide an important public service during this challenging time. Abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.

Members of the public with bulky waste are advised that they must avail of the Council’s free Bulky Waste Collection Service as they will not be permitted access to the sites with bulky waste at this time. Bookings for this service can be made online via the Council website at www.derrystrabane.com/bulkywaste or contact by phone at 028 71 374107.