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South Ayrshire Council News

Clean sweep for eco sweeper

Members of the South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership are pictured with two of the new vehicles.

Members of the South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership are pictured with two of the new vehicles.

A new electric footway sweeper that has no CO2 emissions − the first of its kind in South Ayrshire – is adding extra sparkle to the streets in Ayr town centre thanks to funding from Transport Scotland. 

The sweeper is charged overnight and can then work for a full day on one charge. 

The funding, allocated to South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership has enabled South Ayrshire Council and NHS Ayrshire & Arran to purchase  new low carbon vehicles. 

The Scottish Government has made £3.6 million available to Community Planning Partnerships across Scotland to provide financial support for the procurement or lease of low carbon vehicles.  South Ayrshire's share of this fund was £105,000, which has been used to fund the difference in the purchase price of electric vehicles as compared with conventional vehicles and for the installation of charging and fuelling points.  

Councillor Bill McIntosh, Chair of the South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership and Leader of South Ayrshire Council said:  "The new vehicles will help us to further reduce our carbon emissions, keeping our streets clean and green. 

"The Scottish Government wants to encourage the development and use of low carbon vehicle technology envisaging almost complete decarbonisation of road transport by 2050 as part of the Climate Change Delivery Plan. 

"Targets for reduction of emissions have been set at 42% by 2020 and an 80% reduction by 2050 and I am pleased that we are leading the way by introducing vehicles that have no carbon emissions." 

The new sweeper made its debut in Ayr town centre when it took part in Let Ayr Shine, a pilot civic pride campaign, designed to encourage people to take responsibility and pride in their town and reflect that in their behavior.  

NHS Ayrshire & Arran has received funding from each of the three Ayrshire Community Planning Partnerships and used it to purchase six hybrid Ford Transit vans.  

A full evaluation on the performance of the new vehicle will be carried out over the next 12 months and feedback passed to the Government.

Published: 26 August 2011 08:15

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