WEEKLY general refuse collections are to be binned in Trafford.

Householders are to have their grey bins collected on a fortnightly basis and food and garden waste will be collected once a week.

The council made the decision even though a £6.4m funding package was available from central government.

The money would have enabled Trafford to maintain weekly general waste collections over the next five years.

But the funding offer was refused by the local authority on the grounds that it wouldn’t be cost effective.

Research carried out by the council said it would cost Trafford £11.6 million to maintain a weekly grey bin collection over the next five years.

The decision not to accept the government funding has been rubbished by Councillor Steve Adshead, Labour’s environmental services spokesman.

He said: “While we support the introduction of a waste food collection service, we feel this is a lost opportunity to keep up a weekly rubbish collection for Trafford residents.”

Cllr Adshead also said there had been “no real and meaningful consultation” on the proposal.

But Executive Councillor Jonathan Coupe said the change - which will be rolled out during the spring and summer - has the support of people in the borough.

He said: “Trafford residents have told us that they would welcome more opportunities to get involved in recycling so I’m delighted we are able to offer them a more modern collection service in line with the rest of Greater Manchester.”

Trafford Council has promised to help householders make the most of the new recycling service - by providing everything from kitchen caddies to compostable bin liners.

* Anyone interested in finding out more about recycling in Trafford should visit www.trafford.gov.uk/recycling