Low-carbon pathway sweepers join BDBC street-cleansing fleet

Three new pathway sweepers have joined Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s street cleansing fleet to help tackle the borough’s leaf fall and keep the paths clean and tidy.

All running off low-carbon biofuel, the new additions have replaced older vehicles and boosted the council’s fleet of sustainable pathway sweepers from four to five. This is part of the council’s ongoing investment in its front-line services.  

These sweepers form an important part of the council’s mechanical and manual sweeping approach, helping to keep the borough’s footways clean and clear.

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Cllr Laura James with Sweep Caroline (Image: Bsingstoke and Deane Borough Council)

And, thanks to a fun challenge created through the council’s social media and e-newsletter, they are even more recognisable with a selection of silly names put forward by residents added to the sides of each vehicle.

The sweepers, now named Sir Brushalot, Shaun the Sweep, Lightning McClean, Sweep Caroline and Obi-Wan Cleanobi, will help to clear more than 400 tonnes of leaf fall as part of the council’s winter maintenance work.

Cabinet member for residents’ services and housing, Cllr Laura James, said: "Keeping our streets clean and tidy is a key priority for our residents and these new sweepers will help to improve our sweeping service on paths and footways.

"We received a great response to our fun challenge to name each of the sweepers and the chosen five are now appearing on the vehicles. We hope they will be popular when spotted out and about in the borough."

For more information on the council’s leaf fall clearance schedule or to report an issue with leaf fall visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/leafclearance