As we approach the Christmas and New Year period, we thought it might be useful to bring together in one place some information about the availability of local services over the holiday period. This includes everything from opening hours for emergency chemists to arrangements for recycling your Christmas tree.  

We hope that this information is helpful. May we take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas.

Bin Collection Dates

There are some changes to waste and recycling collection over the Christmas period:

You can check your precise date and what will be collected at http://www.southglos.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/recycling-rubbish-and-waste/check-your-collection-date/


Recycling your Christmas Tree

Before you recycle your tree remove all decorations, pots and stands.

Using the garden waste service

Green bin collection (subscription only): If you have subscribed to the garden waste service you can put your tree into or next to your green bin. Alternatively you can buy a single use garden waste sack for £2 from your nearest library or Country Stores at 48 High Street, Marshfield, SN14 8LP. Just attach the sack to the tree for a special one off collection after Christmas. If your tree is over 6ft, it must be cut up into smaller sections for collection or taken to the Sort It recycling centre

Taking it to a recycling centre

You can recycle your tree at one of four Sort It recycling centres. Real Christmas trees need to go into the skip for garden (green) waste, not the wood waste skip. Don’t forget to remove all decorations, pots and stands before recycling.


Out of Hours Pharmacies Times

You can view all opening times for South Gloucestershire pharmacies over the Christmas period here: https://www.southgloucestershireccg.nhs.uk/your-health-local-services/health-services/self-care-pharmacies-and-gps/gp-pharmacy-opening-hours/ 


Train engineering times over the Christmas period

From Saturday 24th December until Thursday 29th December London Paddington will be closed to all rail services. This will mean that GWR rail services will start and finish at Ealing Broadway, from where you can take the underground or a bus. However, the station does not have step-free access. So if you are travelling with heavy luggage or find steps difficult for any reason you will need to change at Reading and use services from there to London Waterloo. Unfortunately that will mean a longer journey.

You can find out more on the GWR website.

 
Bus services

Certain buses in the West of England will be running different timetables over the Christmas period. Some may be running Saturday timetables on weekdays, or running Sunday & Public Holiday timetables on public holidays. Some are running special timetables which are neither their weekday nor weekend timetables.

More information is available here.