Electrical faults with Reading Borough Council’s fleet vehicles have resulted in delays to waste collection services.
In a statement yesterday, the local authority revealed that the faults have impacted ‘a large number of fleet vehicles’, with residents being warned that they should expect some disruption to collections.
The affected vehicles are to be stood down as an interim measure, allowing for investigations to be completed.
According to the council, this is a ‘precautionary decision’ and will involve the use of vehicles from its spare diesel to ensure the impact on services is reduced.
Missed collections will be resolved by tomorrow, the local authority has confirmed. It has also reported that it is working with a manufacturer to find a long-term solution and increase the reliability of its electric vehicles.
‘The council recognises that while there are significant environmental benefits to an electric fleet, being an early adopter of the carbon conscious vehicles brings with it some issues with first generation technology’, the statement explains.
Cllr Liz Terry, Leader of Reading Borough Council, commented: ‘I understand residents’ discontent when there is a delay to waste services. While I support services to become more environmentally conscious, the repeated issues caused by the vehicles is unacceptable.’
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Photo: © Reading Borough Council.
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