FIFE COUNCIL have been told they need to come clean on plans to reopen recycling centres.

Fife Conservatives have criticised a lack of communication and have called on the council and Fife Resource Solutions, its subsidiary, to keep the public as informed as possible on plans to reopen facilities.

However, Fife Council have told the Press details are set to be available to the public this week.

Priorities will include restricting the numbers of people allowed on sites and limiting the range of material you can bring.

Council Tory group leader Councillor Dave Dempsey said: “Other Scottish councils are publishing details.

"South Ayrshire’s website says ‘Our Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) will re-open on Monday 1 June at 8am, while Fifers are still in the dark.

"We know that plans are being prepared. The officials need to tell the public ASAP.

“Because recycling centres have been shut for so long, on the pretext that trips to them are non-essential, there’s a huge pent-up demand and potential for chaos when reopening finally happens.

"Will all sites reopen at the same time? Will there be restrictions on who can go where? How might the public be encouraged to wait a little longer where they can, to avoid long traffic jams?

“There’s a skip-load of unanswered questions. If other councils can publish detailed information, what’s keeping Fife?"

Ken Gourley, head of assets, transportation and environment, Fife Council, said: “We know that these are extremely challenging times for many of you. Our top priority is ensuring that both local people and our staff are kept safe.

“We’re already working hard to put plans in place, along with Police Scotland, to safely re-open some of our recycling centres, in line with the Scottish Government’s statement.

“We are still finalising and testing these plans, and further details will be available this week.

"However, what we can say is that a number of measures will be in place when the sites re-open to ensure social distancing and to manage traffic both on the sites, and in the areas surrounding them. These will include restricting the numbers of people on the sites at one time and limiting the range of materials being accepted at the sites.

“Our initial focus will be ensuring that household waste that cannot be stored safely at home can be disposed of.

“We know that this is a difficult time for many and thank local people for continuing to recycle."

Fifers are encouraged to use kerbside bins for as much household waste as possible as there will be a high demand for recycling centres.

Council web pages, social media and the Press will be updated with details of which recycling sites will be opening and booking and visiting conditions over the few days in preparation for the first phase of re-openings on June 1.