With garden waste collections (from green domestic bins) due to start again on Monday the York Council has made a last minute decision to abandon the service.

As recently as last week, the York Council, had said that – despite other authorities having also scrapped the service – they would still empty the green bins in York.

The lateness of the decision will make it difficult to roll out one of the suggested alternatives. Some taxi drivers had offered to deliver free composting bins to residents but it would take some time organise such a push.

In the meantime residents are being urged to “mulch” grass cuttings and store hedge clippings in gardens. No doubt some will also utilise the grey bins (the contents of which are now incinerated).

It is more important than ever to cut hedges back from public footpaths as this helps to sustain the 2 metre social distancing rule.