Council forced to buy new bin lorries as aging fleet becomes unreliable

Council forced to buy new bin lorries as aging fleet becomes unreliable

24 October 2012

RATEPAYERS across the district are becoming increasingly concerned at the number of times their bins aren’t being emptied on time because Down Council bin lorries are breaking down.

The Downpatrick, Newcastle and Ballynahinch areas have been badly affected by recent breakdowns and while two new bin lorries have been ordered, it will be the end of next March or early April before they will be delivered.

Politicians want the new 26-tonne vehicles pressed into service as soon as possible as the current creaking fleet of council refuse lorries continue to suffer breakdowns, resulting in late collections.

The average age of the council’s fleet is over 10 years and their increasing maintenance costs are hitting ratepayers in the pocket. Earlier this year it was confirmed the council’s vehicle maintenance budget was £47,000 overspent.

Seven council bin lorries are over seven years old and when problems arise with these they are taken out of service, with two older standby vehicles then used. But they are also breaking down.

A number of councillors have admitted privately that Down Council’s decision not to purchase two new bin lorries before now to keep this year’s rates rise below two per cent was the wrong one.

One councillor said the “chickens have come home to roost” with the local authority now having to admit that it got it wrong by not buying two new bin lorries earlier.

The delays in lifting bins from homes and businesses across the district was discussed at Monday night’s meeting of Down Council, with councillor Billy Walker warning the current bin collection service “leaves a lot to be desired.”

He added: “The problem we have to face up to is that our fleet of vehicles is simply too old to cope with the demands being placed upon it and a number need to be replaced.”

Councillor Robert Burgess said there are many people who have issues with the non-collection of their bins on the designated day, while councillor Carmel O’Boyle welcomed news that two new bin lorries are on order.

Councillor Willie Clarke questioned why the fleet was experiencing so many breakdowns, suggesting lorries in the construction industry which carry heavy loads don’t break down with the same regularity as the local authority bin lorries.

Council director, Canice O’Rourke, said bin lorries are custom-built and explained it will be the spring before the new vehicles arrive. He explained as soon as they do, they will go straight into service.

“We are having problems with our vehicles and when those we have on standby are used to provide cover when others are being repaired, they are sometimes breaking down as well,” he revealed.

“Something as simple as a bulb fusing on one of the vehicle’s exterior flashing lights means it has to be immediately replaced under health and safety legislation. This can mean a bin lorry is out of service for an hour which impacts on the collection. Some of our bin lorries are over 10 years old and they do breakdown.”