New electric street sweeper to target pollution hotspots

The new electric street sweeper is being used in areas with major traffic routes and dense populations in Blaby district

A new electric street sweeper is now operating in an area of Leicestershire with higher levels of pollution.

Blaby District Council said the machine has been specifically used in areas with major traffic routes and dense populations in the district.

It said air pollutant levels in the Air Quality Management Areas do not exceed national guidelines but remain higher than the advice from the World Health Organisation.

The authority said its first electric sweeper has been funded from £573,700 of government cash, which will also be spent on converting a diesel bin lorry to electric to further help improve air quality in the district.

'Net zero by 2050'

The sweeper will be used in areas including Enderby, Narborough, Whetstone and the M1 corridor in Leicester Forest East and Thorpe Astley.

The electric bin lorry is expected to be operational in the autumn.

Cheryl Cashmore, portfolio holder for health, leisure, climate and economic development at the council, said: "We already use hydro treated vegetable oil as a fuel source for the bulk of our bin lorries and this has slashed emissions.

"But we want to go further. The electric sweeper and the electric lorry will help us reach our ambitious target to achieve net zero from our operations by 2030 and a net zero District by 2050.

"We continue to work on reducing carbon, improving air quality and ensuring a healthier environment for our residents."

The council said it hopes to run a competition to name both vehicles later in the year to celebrate the new additions to its electric fleet.

Air quality grants aim to support councils in tackling pollutants including fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, according to the government.

Les Phillimore, the council's portfolio holder for housing, community and environmental services, added the authority was "delighted" to receive cash last year, which was "one of the largest grants given in that round of funding".

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