Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether visits to a household recycling centre in England are categorised as necessary travel; and if he will take steps to prevent police intercepting vehicles travelling to such centres.

The Government is working with local authorities to explore ways in which household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) that have been closed might be re-opened and we expect to publish further guidance on this shortly. The guidance will clarify the circumstances under which a trip to the HWRC might be justified.

Police enforcement does not apply in circumstances where travel is classified as reasonable or necessary. Therefore journeys to a HWRC, made in accordance with the forthcoming guidance, will be allowed. The police are aware of the proposed guidance.