Kirklees’ ageing fleet to be replaced in £2.5m investment

A £2.5m cash injection is on the way for Kirklees Council’s ageing fleet, with 35 vehicles to be replaced.

An earlier investment of £6.25m in 2021 was expected to be enough to cover 73 vehicles, but soaring costs and a volatile market meant just 48 could be replaced. This led the local authority to seek approval of a further £2.5m for the remaining vehicles which was granted at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

The council says this extra funding will save money in the long run as 268 vehicles in its fleet are past their best, having reached or surpassed their “Useful Economic Life”. This has been a drain on the council’s resources, forcing the local authority to shell out £44k each week on hire vehicles to cover those off the road or as extras.

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David Shepherd, Strategic Director for Growth and Regeneration said: “Aging vehicles are prone to breakdowns, with some of our older vehicles having become unreliable, they’re putting additional pressure on staffing resource and council maintenance budgets. Investment in new, greener and more sustainable vehicles will help us meet operational demands, ensuring effective service delivery, fewer disruptions and value for money.

“Continuing our transition to a greener, more sustainable fleet supports our ‘Net Zero and Climate Ready by 2038’, meeting Euro 6 requirements to reduce exhaust emissions with cleaner, greener and more efficient fleets serving our communities.”

The 35 new vehicles will be purchased over the next two years and include heavy goods vehicles and vans.

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