Swansea Council has placed its largest ever order for refuse collection vehicles, and is currently taking delivery of 38 new Dennis Eagle trucks as part of an investment programme worth around £6 million.
The order includes 35 Elite 6 chassis supplied with a variety of Olympus and Olympus Twin Pack bodies. Replacing existing Dennis Eagle vehicles in the Council’s fleet, they will be used for the collection of domestic and trade waste and recycling streams
The decision to award the contract to Dennis Eagle was reached following a competitive tender process, with the company coming out on top in terms of value for money and the quality of its aftermarket care, with support provided by the local Service Centre at Merthyr Tydfil.
Safety was an important consideration for the Council, and the vehicles specification has been enhanced to include important features designed to assist drivers and ensure the protection of vulnerable road users. These include a four camera recording CCTV system, an auto braking system, and a nearside alarm that activates lights and audio to make pedestrians and cyclists more aware of the vehicle’s presence when turning.
The vehicles will feature the DennisConnect telematics system, enabling the remote diagnosis of faults in real time. The contract also includes technical training for all workshop staff, delivered by Dennis Eagle, as well as access to the company’s Electronic Parts Catalogue, helping to simplify the identification and ordering of spare parts when required.
Councillor Mark Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment Services at Swansea Council, comments: “The City and County of Swansea has an established relationship with Dennis Eagle, and the company’s vehicles have proven their reliability and functionality over the years. This latest consignment represents a huge investment for the Council, and the fact Dennis Eagle has been selected to fulfil the order will enable a smoother transition for our crews and workshop staff.
“The company offers a convenient ‘one-stop-shop’ in terms of chassis and body solutions, and the training and aftermarket support it provides will be invaluable in keeping our fleet running smoothly and helping our staff get to grips with the latest Euro-VI models.”
