Information on Loughborough

Driving refuse collection forward in the 21st century

Posted on 16/02/2010
newsdesk

Brand new state-of-the art refuse collection vehicles will hit Charnwood’s streets tomorrow (Tuesday).

The seven new vehicles have been bought by Serco at a cost of £916,412 and are being introduced as part of the new Environmental Services contract with Charnwood Borough Council.

The new vehicles have state-of-the-art features, including GPS tracking devices. This means that at any given time the location of the vehicle is known, which helps to answer queries from the public about whether or not their collection has taken place.

They also feature ‘auto-stop’ sensors at the rear of the truck, which automatically apply the brakes if something is detected in the beam when the vehicle is reversing.

They will replace six vehicles previously in use, which have been leased for the past seven years and have now reached the end of their useful lives.

Whilst these new vehicles will be collecting waste destined for landfill sites, seven existing recycling collection vehicles will still be in operation.

These vehicles will run to the end of their lease in 2010/11, when they too will be replaced.

Mike Preston, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said: “This level of financial commitment goes to show the value Serco put on the contract - and its dedication to providing Charnwood’s residents with a high quality service.

“The vehicles have been designed to be eye-catching and feature the slogan ‘Landfill … Less’. We hope this will raise awareness that the contents of each vehicle will be sent to a landfill site and encourage people to recycle when they can.”

Each vehicle is also fitted with advertising display boards which will be used to promote waste minimisation messages, including information on recycling, composting and littering.

Notes:

The Vehicle

• Chassis: Mercedes Econic Bluetec 5

• Body: Dennis P2-20

• Lift: Terberg OmniDel Xtra, which lifts two bins at a time.

• Weight: 26 ton Gross vehicle weight (GVW)

• Payload: 10.5 ton

• Cost: £130,916.00 each