CONSERVATIVES in Bury have has called for all household waste recycling centres to be reopened across the region after they were closed to protect people during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester is coming under pressure from councillors across the region, backing such a move.

Liberal Democrats in Bury are also calling on the council to reopen street litter bins, including dog waste bins, which have been taped up to reduce the risk of infection and allow staff to keep household bin collections going.

This comes after the leader of Bolton Council, the only Conservative local authority leader in Greater Manchester, called for the unilateral decision by Andy Burnham last month to be reversed.

Cllr Nick Jones, Tory leader on Bury Council, said the decision to close the recycling centres was made “without any consultation” with the leaders of the 10 boroughs in Greater Manchester.

He said: “I believe that the closing of the recycling centres was wrong and one which has led to an increase of fly-tipping across Bury and Greater Manchester.

“This is the wrong approach, especially when authorities, including Bury Council, are asking staff to turn up and do essential work day in, day out.

“Recycling centres are essential and the decision to close should be reviewed immediately.

“Social distancing can be adopted quite easily and an operation run safely, both for those who work and those accessing the service.”

Lib Dems in Bury agree that recycling centres should be reopened and are also calling on the council to bring street litter bins back into use.

Prestwich councillor Michael Powell said residents are concerned about an increase in litter and fly-tipping during lockdown.

He said: “Other authorities across the UK are still providing these services. Manchester and Oldham’s bins and dog waste bins are open. Wigan has now reopened its refuse facilities.

“All of us would want to ensure the safety of council staff, but hopefully a way can be found to do this which keeps both staff and members of the public safe.

“If it is good enough for Manchester and Wigan then it is good enough for Bury.”

All household waste recycling centres in Greater Manchester are managed centrally by the Metro Mayor but Wigan Council has control over its own waste disposal.

Bury Council leader Cllr David Jones said he supports the move by Mr Burnham to close all tips in the region – but welcomed a review of the decision.

He said: “The evidence is that fly-tipping has not gone up in Bury. It’s not become excessive in the current climate since the restrictions.

“When they were open, we had queues of 30 to 40 cars waiting for two hours at the facility in Cemetery Road which is surrounded by a housing estate. All that was flying in the face of government advice for social distancing.

“The argument that there might be a health hazard – I’m not convinced by that. The things that people take to tips are things that you’ve used in your home. Put them in your garage or in your garden until the recycling centres are open.”

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority was contacted for comment.