OPENING times at Sandwell Council's Oldbury tip have been extended following huge demand.

Bulky waste collections will also return next week, Sandwell Council has confirmed.

The Household Recycling Centre at Shidas Lane will now open from 9.30am to 2.30pm every day, including weekends and Bank Holiday Monday (May 25).

Council chiefs have urged visitors to to plan ahead and only make a visit if it is absolutely essential.

Vans, trailers and traders are not allowed to enter the site and only one person will be permitted in each car.

Exceptions are in place for Blue Badge holders or those bringing a bulky item that requires two people to unload it, but they must be from the same household.

Bulky waste collections will resume on Tuesday May 26, and residents can book a collection here.

Mattresses and beds will not be collected due to the pandemic, with residents urged to take these to the tip or store them at home until full bulky waste collections resume.

Anyone visiting the tip must bring proof of address, such as a driving licence, recent utility bill or current council tax summary, which they will be asked to show against their closed car window.

Councillor Maria Crompton, Deputy Leader of Sandwell Council, said: “I have listened to our residents who have not been able to get to the tip during the week and I wanted to make sure all residents, including our key workers, can access our waste services.

“I am very pleased to announce that the council, working closely with our environmental services partner Serco, are now in a position to open the tip every day including this coming Bank Holiday Monday and that we will also resume bulky waste collections from Tuesday 26 May.

“Over the past few weeks our bin crews have been working tirelessly to get up-to-date with household and garden waste collections.

“They will continue to work hard to make sure bins are collected and they have been working extra days to make this happen. I want to thank residents for their patience and request that you continue to bear with us during these difficult times.”

Dave Lynas, Contract Manager at Serco, said: “Our Household Recycling Centre has always received positive feedback from the residents of Sandwell and we’re pleased to be able to be in a position to reopen further to help residents dispose of waste that isn’t safe to store at their properties.

“We need to protect staff as well as residents using the site, so we have implemented social distancing measures such as limiting the number of cars that can enter the site and our operatives won’t be able to assist with bulky items.

“If residents do have to visit the tip, please be patient and follow guidance of our onsite operatives, who continue do a tremendous job.”