HOUSEHOLDS are being urged to prepare for Cheshire East Council’s 10-week garden waste winter shutdown.

The collection of household green waste by the borough council will be halted from December 8.

Last year’s shutdown was branded a fiasco as many residents were left with bins full of festering waste and the council made a public apology following a barrage of complaints.

In light of this, the council launched a public consultation which led to the length of the suspension being reduced from four months to ten weeks and the service will resume from February 13 2015.

Clr David Topping, cabinet member for service commissioning, said: “Suspending the garden waster service over the winter makes complete sense as demand at this time of year is very low and the council can make much more efficient use of its resources.

“The council consulted residents about proposed winter shutdown earlier this year as we were keen to hear their views about the timing and length of the shutdown and their preferred method of communication.

“Over 2,500 responses were received and the council has listened carefully to those views when finalising the details of this year’s winter suspension. I would like to thank all residents for their co-operation.”

Residents are being urged to check the council’s website and online calendar for the date of their last collection in 2014 and first collection of 2015 – blue reminder stickers will also be attached to bins.

Should residents need to dispose of green waster during the shutdown, they can use the household-recycling centres scattered around the borough.

Knutsford’s nearest centre is located off Mobberley Road, in Shaw Heath.