FLINTSHIRE Council says its household waste and recycling centres won't reopen until lockdown measures are eased.

The authority says it is in "regular discussion" with the Welsh Government over the reopening of the sites.

Following the closure of the sites, and the suspension of garden waste collections, residents claim levels of fly-tipping have increased dramatically.

Asked if it is considering reopening the recycling tips, the local authority states it will be "once restrictions on travel have been lifted".

The council states fly-tipping is "never acceptable" and says it will investigate and will consider prosecuting the perpetrators if they can be identified.

Several recent reports of fly-tipping have been in Flintshire, with the Deeside area particularly affected.

One resident said: "It’s getting ridiculous the amount of fly tipping. Go on my bike and everywhere you go someone has dumped a load of rubbish.

"A properly managed system would allow the skips to be opened safely."

Another said the council "really ought to think of reopening the recycling centres".

A Flintshire Council spokesman said: "Following the UK and Welsh Government‘s (WG) announcement instructing people not to leave their homes and travel unnecessarily, Flintshire’s Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) were temporarily closed on March 23.

"The council is in regular discussion with Welsh Government and all other council’s in Wales to agree a mechanism for a coordinated reopening of the sites, once the restrictions on travel have been lifted.

"The council is aware that there has been much discussion and comment on social media during the current emergency regarding an apparent increase in fly tipping levels, particularly following the decision to suspend garden waste collections and the temporary closure of the network of HWRC sites.

"Fly-tipping is never acceptable and is a criminal activity that can cause serious pollution to the environment, can be a risk to human health and can harm wildlife and farm animals. The council will investigate the content of fly tips and will consider prosecution or the issue of Fixed Penalty Notices, if the waste can be identified to specific properties or individuals."