Northumberland County Council is investing over £13m to support its fleet replacement plans.
The long-term programme involves the introduction of 52 new refuse collection vehicles – the first batch having arrived in October last year, with a view to complete the deliveries by November 2027.
Eighteen of the Dennis Eagle Olympus refuse collection vehicles have been allocated so far, serving as replacements for ageing lorries that are ‘increasingly prone to breakdowns’.
According to the council, the move will boost the reliability of waste and recycling collections, ensuring communities benefit from efficient services.
A further £3.3m is to be targeted towards the refurbishment of the local authority’s vehicle maintenance facilities at Tyne Mills, which will house the entirety of the council’s fleet in a six-bay workshop.
Cllr Riddle, Cabinet Member Environment, Rural and Farming, said: ‘We recognise that there have been occasions in recent months where collections have been affected by vehicle breakdowns. These investments demonstrate our commitment to addressing those challenges and delivering a first-class service for communities across Northumberland.
‘By replacing our ageing fleet and providing modern maintenance facilities, we are putting in place the infrastructure needed to support waste and recycling collections, as well as other key services, well into the future.’
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Photo: © Northumberland County Council.
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