New Refuse Lorries – Ready to Hit the Streets

New refuse lorries are ready to hit the streets

A NEW fleet of refuse collection vehicles will soon be hitting the streets of Carmarthenshire.

The council has taken delivery of 28 new lorries; costing around £4million, including 18 26 tonne Mercedes-Benz and 10 15 tonne DAF trucks with NTM bodies.

The vehicles will give a more efficient service to residents and help to increase the county’s recycling rate.

They have a separate compartment to keep food waste separate from blue / black bags.

The vehicles were officially handed over at Llanelli’s Festival Fields with a very special guest, Welsh rugby legend Sir Gareth Edwards CBE.

Sir Gareth, a director with Euro Commercials (South Wales) Ltd, said: “Having come from West Wales it’s great to see such investment in the serious logistics of waste. The council is really demonstrating the ability to deliver a first class waste management programme, with some of the latest cutting-edge technology and innovation from Mercedes Benz trucks.”

Euro Commercials truck sales manager Nathan Black said: “The new Euro VI Mercedes-Benz Econic 2630L 6X2 refuse vehicles are rear-steer models; and the rear steer action and 360° on board CCTV gives them increase manoeuvrability, allowing them to use even the most hard to reach places.

“All vehicles ride on full air suspension, with split-compartment NTM bodies that mean they can be used to collect recyclable waste – paper, plastic and food for example – thereby securing operational savings.”

Euro Commercials managing director Jeff Carne added: “It’s always encouraging to be given the opportunity to partner our local authorities, but to be able to give the Mercedes brand and the after-sales service excellence that Euro Commercials continue to deliver is very exciting. We’re confident that the new fleet will exceed the council’s expectations in terms of reliability and fuel-efficiency.”

Gareth Rees from Watts Truck & Van Swansea said: “Watts Truck & Van Swansea and DAF are very proud to have supplied the council with 10 new 15 tonne refuse collection vehicles. These 15 tonne smaller vehicles have Allison automatic gearboxes and drive very much like a car, they are very manoeuvrable and have a good turning circle, which makes them ideal.”

Both vehicles have NTM bodies attached, managing director Paul Westley said: “NTM GB Ltd is delighted to work in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council and we have worked very closely with the authority giving vehicle options and demonstrations to trial and check. The 26t KGH-FK pod system along with our 15t K-Maxi –FK pod options gave the authority a balance of payload and accessibility for all areas, working very closely with Euro Commercials of (Mercedes Benz) and Watts Trucks of (DAF) NTM were able to achieve these vehicle options. Our NTM designed FK pod systems gives maximum volumes which mirrors with the body shape minimising wasting space.”

The vehicles will be phased in from the week beginning October 31; and coincides with changes to refuse collection routes across the county.

The aim is to make the routes more effective, and residents affected by changes to their collection days will have received a letter.

Council Leader Emlyn Dole said: “It was very impressive to see the new vehicles all lined up ready to go.  They are equipped with all the latest technology; they are more fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly, helping to cut our carbon footprint.”

Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans added: “The new vehicles, together with the new routes, will result in an improved service for residents, and help us to recycle even more.”