A NEW fleet of bin wagons are on their way to Bolton, which the council says will be both more cost efficient and more eco-friendly.

The new fleet will be made up of a total of 19 new vehicles which are designed to carry more than 10 tonnes of waste, which should allow for more efficient bin collections, while they are also equipped with the latest technology to limit CO2 emissions.

Alongside the environmental benefits, lower fuel consumption means they are more cost effective, while new "pedestrian recognition" technology also makes them safer for other people using the roads.

Executive cabinet member for environmental services Cllr Nadim Muslim, said: "These new vehicles will make a real improvement to our waste collection service.

"Our waste collection teams have done a great job working though the challenges of the pandemic, during which there has been a significant increase in demand for our household waste and recycling services.

"These new vehicles will enable them to provide an improved and more efficient service to residents."

The new wagons will replace a fleet of ageing vehicles, which have become outdated with the advance of technology since they were first bought.

The first additions to the fleet arrived over September and October with the council expecting all 19 to be in operation by November.

Once they are all in service, this more environmentally friendly approach will work in tandem with other measures being enacted across the city region, including the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone.

Executive cabinet member for regeneration and development Cllr Adele Warren, said: "This is a great step forward in our commitment to be a cleaner, greener, environmentally sustainable borough.

"These new vehicles will reduce carbon emissions and support our efforts to reduce pollution and deliver improved air quality in Bolton.

"Our vehicles will also be compliant with the requirements of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone."