15th Feb 2012 Street cleaning vehicles that double up as winter gritters have been unveiled in Westminster.
The council revealed the new trucks this week, claiming that the new fleet will save millions of pounds, while increasing service standards.
It said that the vehicles come with fuel saving packs and GPS systems, as well as being quieter and better for the environment. The new fleet has 70 trucks and it is thought they could save around £300,000 a year in fuel costs.
The refuse lorries in the fleet will collect 35 million bags of waste every year, enough to fill 700 Olympic swimming pools, with lower noise levels and carbon dioxide emissions than current trucks.
Councillor Ed Argar, head of city management, said: “Westminster is constantly searching for ways to make sure residents and businesses are given the best value for money.
“Keeping the city clean remains a key priority for Westminster. Our new fleet is a great symbol of the investment we are making to keep our city clean, reducing noise and helping the environment in the process, without spending more money – a win-win situation.”
The council is currently running a campaign to urge people to take responsibility for their own actions when it comes to littering. For more information, visit www.westminster.gov.uk/services.
Posted by Emma Heseltine: Westminster Chronicle
