New £4m refuse fleet hits the roads across Harborough

A new multi-million-pound fleet of refuse trucks and road sweepers is taking to the roads across the Harborough district.

Harborough District Council has invested more than £4 million in 14 new refuse collection vehicles and three road sweepers, replacing an ageing fleet.

The council says the new vehicles will improve reliability, reduce maintenance costs and support the continued delivery of waste collections and street cleaning services.

A new multi-million-pound fleet of refuse trucks and road sweepers is taking to the roads across the Harborough district.

The new road sweepers are due to enter service shortly as part of the council’s ongoing street cleansing programme.

Although the fleet is diesel-powered, the council says this remains the most practical and cost-effective option because of the district’s size, the distances vehicles travel and the location of waste disposal facilities.

To improve fuel efficiency, the refuse trucks have been fitted with electric lifting equipment, reducing the need for the diesel engine to power bin-lifting operations during collections.

Members of the Harborough District Youth Council were invited to help name the new lorries, choosing local wildlife-inspired names including William the Woodpecker, Alfie the Adder, Hannah the Hedgehog and Barry the Bat.

Cllr David Page seated in one of the new waste collection vehicles

Councillor David Page, Cabinet Lead for Neighbourhood Services, said: “Waste collection and street cleansing are among the services residents rely on every day, and it is important that we have the right equipment in place to deliver them effectively.

“Following a change of administration earlier this year, additional budget provision has been made to provide further investment into the fleet to fully meet the needs and priorities of neighbourhoods across the district.

“This investment will support the continued delivery of these essential services and provide our operational teams with modern vehicles that are fit for purpose for many years to come.”