Air-cleaning road sweeper fleet takes to streets

Man sitting in road sweeper.Image source, North Lincolnshire Council
Image caption,

North Lincolnshire Council say the move is part of their plan to make the county "cleaner" and "greener"

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Road sweepers that remove dust and pollution from the air while they work are being rolled out across North Lincolnshire.

The new machines are more environmentally friendly than older models and have various mechanical advantages, said the council.

The move is part of the authority's plan for "a cleaner, greener North Lincolnshire".

Councillor Neil Poole, cabinet member for environmental operations, said the "first class street cleaning machines" will benefit "everyone".

"So many people in our communities are already working hard by organising voluntary litter picking groups and planting borders and troughs ready for the spring," he added.

"As well as investing in new equipment we are clamping down hard on litterers and fly-tippers with increased fines and prosecutions".

Poor air quality has been linked to respiratory tract infections including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with specialist breathing treatment hubs being set up by Lincolnshire's Integrated Care Board earlier in the winter.

As well as cleaning the air, the machines have a third arm for picking up weeds and litter. They also have an improved water circulation system that reduces the amount of water needed and increased suction.

The sweepers are already out and working across the region.

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