The local authority paid £12m for the new fleet of waste trucks after budgeting for £17m last July.

The vehicles are to replace the current fleet which has been plagued by breakdowns. On 26 January, 11 of the 46 vehicles were out of action for the whole day.

‘This is another example where we should have had a fleet which was fit for the future, and what we’ve been left with is a waste fleet which needs completely replacing,’ said Cllr Simon Curry, portfolio holder for climate change and strategic regeneration.

‘It’s a headache – an expensive headache – but it’s something we have to do.’

The current fleet of vehicles was purchased in 2013 and they surpassed their standard working life around four years ago.

The new vehicles will be rolled out over six months at the beginning of next year.

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