New cash for road cleaning machines

Dudley Council is set to spend more than a million pounds on new street cleaning vehicles to replace ageing machines.

Cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, Cllr Simon Phipps, has given the go-ahead for the authority to make £1.4m available to replace 11 sweepers.

A further £100,000 has been made available for a waste care sweeper. All the funds will come from the council’s capital expenditure budget.

Notes accompanying Cllr Phipp’s decision said: “The current fleet of compact sweepers has reached the end of their operational life having completed five years of service. 

“In order to avoid disproportionate maintenance cost and service interruption caused by vehicle downtime these vehicles now need to be replaced. 

“The replacement of the current life-expired fleet will ensure that cleansing standards are maintained and that savings targets are delivered.”

Councils have a legal duty to keep roads and pathways clear and usable while clearing drains and gullies also prevents flooding.

After recent criticism of the state of the borough’s streets from opposition politicians, the council’s Conservative administration announced measures including a ‘deep cleaning hit squad’ to target litter hotspots.

The council says it also invested in new kit including weed ripper arms for small footway sweepers and specialist brushes for larger road-sweeping vehicles.

Speaking in June 2026, Dudley Council leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, said: “We know people are passionate about where they live and we want to create an environment where residents have a sense of pride as they step out of their front door and move about our borough.”

The council insists after making budget cutbacks in street cleaning to stabilise the authority’s finances there is now cash available to improve services.

Cllr Harley added: “I’ve always been clear that, when we were in a position to do so, we would reinvest in the services people see and feel every day.”