Renfrewshire Council plans to purchase a “narrow track” refuse collection vehicle for its fleet after a successful trial towards the end of last year.
The local authority tested out one of the lorries and its ability to enter tighter streets and others where access might be an issue because of parked cars and different obstructions last October.
During that time period, the 18-tonne machine demonstrated it was able to access properties, where such difficulties exist, better than the council’s 26-tonne vehicles.
As a result, it has started the procurement process to purchase one and bolster its waste services operational fleet. It is likely to arrive in October.
The development was included in a service update report, which will be considered at Wednesday’s infrastructure, land and environment policy board.
It explained: “In October, the service secured a trial of an 18-tonne narrow track collection vehicle that will allow waste services to access areas that have restricted access due to narrow streets, parked cars, and other obstructions.
“During the trial period the vehicle demonstrated that it was able to access difficult to access properties better than our current fleet of 26-tonne vehicles.
“Following the successful trial the service has started the procurement process to purchase one of these vehicles to enhance the waste services operational fleet.
“Due to procurement and then delivery time this vehicle is likely to arrive on fleet around October 2025. In the meantime the service has hired a vehicle of the same specification.”
Councillor Stephen Burns, an SNP representative for Paisley Southwest and member of the board, was pleased to hear about the addition to the fleet. He said: “I’m delighted with this because there are some problem areas in Renfrewshire when it comes to narrow streets and parked cars.
“It’s obviously good to hear that this vehicle has demonstrated some success during the trial period and could be a potential solution. Hopefully it will help the council address issues caused by restricted access and limit the number of delayed collections.”
Meanwhile, the council added three new 26-tonne vehicles with Euro 6 engines to its fleet in December. These will replace three older lorries.
Don’t miss the latestRenfrewshire headlines –sign up to our free daily newsletter here