Hertfordshire County Council says it still does not know when it will be able to reopen a waste recycling centre.

The tip in Allum Lane, Elstree, remains closed, despite ten centres reopening elsewhere a month ago.

A county council spokesman has said no date has been set for the Elstree site to reopen - and said the main issue is a "lack of staff" to manage the site.

Due to social distancing measures, waste recycling centre staff have been redeployed around the county to help with social distancing and traffic management.

Queues form regularly because trips to the tip take longer because less people are allowed to dispose of their waste at the same time.

The county council added it has prioritised the reopenings of "larger" centres where traffic and social distancing is "easier to manage".

The council added it is working with its contractor Amey to reopen all closed sites as "soon as practically possible".

Elstree is one of four centres still closed, with Hemel Hempstead and Hoddesdon given the green light to reopen alongside the earlier ten.

People living in Borehamwood, Elstree, Radlett, Shenley, Aldenham, and the surrounding areas are being advised to go to waste recycling centres in Potters Bar or on the A405 between Bricket Wood and Garston - although it must be for essential visits only.

A petition calling for the Allum Lane tip to reopen has been signed by nearly 500 people.

The petition was created by Borehamwood councillor Michelle Vince and is addressed to the leader of Hertfordshire County Council, Cllr David Williams.

The petition reads: "The closure of Allum Lane recycling centre has impacted heavily on Borehamwood and surrounding villages.

"There has been an increase in fly tipping and overflowing communal bins attracting rats. This creates additional risk to public health.

"Potters Bar recycling centre has been reopened with self distancing and other safety controls in place.

"The signatories to this petition are calling for the urgent and swift reopening of the Allum Lane site with social distancing and any other necessary measures put in place."