12:39pm Monday 6th September 2010
By Darren Slade
THESE new trucks will be ready to spread six tonnes of salt on the roads of Bournemouth during a single run if another harsh winter hits the town.
Bournemouth Borough Council has spent £120,000 buying three new gritters after having to contend with breakdowns and repairs to its old vehicles during the big freeze earlier this year.
The DAF lorries will also enable the council to cut running costs as computer route planning means they can be operated by one person instead of two.
Stuart Best, street services manager for the council, said: “Everyone remembers last winter was particularly harsh and it is fair to say the vehicles struggled to cope with the demands on them, particularly as they were very old.
“Although we were able to maintain a full service, we did suffer breakdowns and urgent repairs were being carried out round the clock to ensure continuity of service.”
The council has stockpiled 1,000 tonnes of grit and salt ready for the winter.
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