Below is a summary of the operation of a number of Council services over the Christmas and New Year period. Please note that all services will remain under review in line with guidance from the NI Executive and are subject to change.
BIN COLLECTIONS
Black and brown bins due for collection on Christmas Day, Friday 25th December, will instead be collected on Sunday 27th December.
Blue and brown bins due for collection on New Year's Day, Friday 1st January, will instead be collected on Saturday 2nd January.
All other collections will take place as normal.
Recycling Centres
All Council recycling centres will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, all recycling centres will close at 2pm, except for Pennyburn Recycling Centre which will close at 4pm.
On Boxing Day, three sites will be open from 10am to 2pm – they are Pennyburn, Strathfoyle and Strahans Road.
From Monday 21st December to Sunday 3rd January, Glendermott Road will operate from 9.30am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday (except on dates highlighted above). A booking system will remain in place and slots can be booked by calling 02871376590. Please note, booking is also required for Eglinton Recycling Centre on the same telephone number.
Phone bookings will be available from 9am - 5pm on 29th, 30th and 31st December over the Christmas/New Year period. Lines will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Monday 28th December and New Year's Day. Normal times will resume on Monday 4th January.
Facilities will continue to be located at Spamount for public use on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the holidays.
Members of the public using Council recycling centres over the holiday period are encouraged to sort and separate materials before arrival and to dispose of waste in their household bins wherever possible. Due to demand, the public are asked to remain patient when visiting recycling centres and follow the instructions of staff on site.
Leisure Centres
Foyle Arena has closed slightly earlier for Christmas, on Sunday 20th December, to allow for essential maintenance. Derg Valley Leisure Centre, Riversdale Leisure Centre and Templemore Sports Complex will be closed from Christmas Eve and all four centres will remain closed in January in line with NI Executive restrictions which come into place from Boxing Day and are scheduled for six weeks. Further information on reopening dates for the four centres will be available in due course.
All other Council leisure centres currently remain closed.
Council offices and facilities
Both the Strand Road and Derry Road Council Offices are closed to the public on Christmas Eve through until Monday 4th January. Phone lines will be open on Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st December.
GUILDHALL, TOWER AND ALLEY THEATRE
The Guildhall, Tower Museum and Alley Theatre will be closed on Christmas Eve and will not reopen until the New Year in line with NI Executive restrictions which come into place from Boxing Day and are scheduled for six weeks. Further information on reopening dates will be available in due course.
The District Registration Offices will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
There will be cover in the Derry office on the morning of Monday 28th December and will resume full hours on Tuesday 29th December.
The Strabane office will remain closed.
The office in Derry will then close on New Year's Day, Friday 1st January.
There is an out-of-office emergency death registration service provided over the holiday period. If a family need to urgently register the death of their loved one because the burial is taking place outside the jurisdiction or a cremation has been urgently planned, the local Funeral Directors can ring the out-of-office mobile number or email to contact the Registrar.
Both Derry and Strabane offices will resume full service on Monday, 4th January 2021.
Dog shelter
The dog shelter will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Monday 28th December, Tuesday 29th December and New Year's Day. Members of the public looking to visit the shelter must contact the dog wardens in advance by calling 02871253253 or emailing dogcontrol@derrystrabane.com
Cemetery services
Cemeteries will be operating as normal during the Christmas period. Cemeteries will be open from 8am – 4.30pm daily.
Parks and playgrounds
Council parks and play areas will remain open over the Christmas period as normal, however, if weather conditions are unfavourable, e.g. high winds, facilities may be closed. If any facilities have to close due to inclement weather, updates will be posted on social media. From Saturday 26th December to Saturday 2nd January, Brooke Park will close at 8pm.
Covid reassurance scheme
Covid assurance team members will remain on the ground across the city and district over the Christmas period to offer advice and support.
Community services and centres
All Council community centres currently remain closed. More information on re-opening dates will be available in the New Year.