A dozen Bolton Council bin lorries are in need of replacement as the authorities consider an increase in the size of the fleet for the borough.

The council bought the twin-chamber bin wagons, which allow the collection of two types of waste at the same time, around eight years ago.

Today, Bolton Council is the only one in the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to use these bins lorries, which are worse than other bin lorries in terms of reliability and sustainability.

The presence of two separate chambers and two separate compactors means there is twice the potential for mechanical issues and their rarity means there is a problem with the availability of parts to address these mechanical issues.

On August 14, cabinet member for climate change Richard Silvester is asked to approve the replacement of the twin-chamber bin wagons with single-chamber bin wagons, as well as an increase in the size of the fleet for the borough from 42 to almost 50.

READ MORE: Bolton: Changes to rules at recycling centres across GM.

A report reads: "The bin collection service is statutory and it must be delivered on schedule. 

"To enable the bin collection service to use resources as efficiently as possible, the recommendation is to consider a more flexible fleet. This report therefore proposes to replace 50/50 twin chamber Refuse Collection Vehicles with single chamber Refuse Collection Vehicles."

An increase in the number of RCVs calls for an increase in the number of staff. The council intends to address this issue by increasing the team of 114 drivers and loaders to a team of 152 drivers and loaders.

The cost in terms of staffing and PPE is set to rise by around half a million pounds per year but this is set to be covered by a rebate from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

A report reads: "This proposed increase in establishment will provide a permanent resource to complete core essential work and the capacity to withstand any planned and unplanned absence of which there is currently no provision."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.