Keeping Cherwell District Council’s charming countryside clean

From left to right: Stuart Cruickshank, Fleet Manager, and Ed Potter, Assistant Director of Environmental Services, Cherwell District Council.

With several of its RCVs now approaching end of life, this quarter-century milestone has been marked by Cherwell District Council with a recent order for a series of brand-new vehicles. Home to roughly 90 vehicles in total, from refuse trucks to small vans, the council has begun to revitalise its fleet by preparing to welcome an Elite+ 6x2 rear-steer Narrow chassis with an Olympus 19 body and an OmniDEL electric bin lift, as well as two Elite+ 6x2 rear-steer chassis with an Olympus 23 body and OmniDEL electric bin lifts. These hard-working RCVs will be taking to the district’s streets and villages to help maximise its full potential by keeping it clear of waste.

“We’re proud of our community and our district’s reputation, so we want to ensure we’re always giving the area the care it deserves,” said Stuart Cruickshank, Fleet Manager, Cherwell District Council. “This includes how we approach waste management, which is why we often choose to employ Dennis Eagle vehicles. They have come out on top for multiple tenders in the past, particularly due to their ability to offer Narrow RCVs, which are vital to our services. Their technology is familiar and user-friendly – ideal for ensuring consistency across our drivers and crews.”

A bespoke build with electric bin lift

In addition to the many advantageous features that make up Dennis Eagle RCVs, the council has also opted for its new vehicles to have an integrated weighing system, telematics to support data-driven decision-making, and our five-camera DVR system, better enhancing safety and visibility around each vehicle. The RCVs will also act as mobile billboards, with Roadvert panels installed to display topical and educational messaging to inspire waste management best practice among the district’s residents.

In fact, a significant driver for Cherwell is environmental stewardship – one of four key priorities specified by the council. Alongside other sustainability initiatives, such as an increasing number of electric vehicles which now make up 20% of the council’s overall fleet, this commitment to positive change for the environment is reflected in their choice of electric bin lifts on the vehicles. These bin lifts share many commonalities with their hydraulic equivalents with the added bonus of reduced noise pollution, lower operating costs, and, most importantly, considerably fewer carbon emissions.

“We’ve had a very strong relationship with Cherwell District Council for many years and can only see this continuing to grow,” said Nicola Case, Regional Sales Manager, Dennis Eagle. “A few members of their team recently visited our site in Warwick and were highly impressed by the manufacturing capability within our factory, which only serves to emphasise the incredible work we do every day as a business. We’re excited to keep supporting the council’s delivery of such critical services with dependable, durable RCVs that help bring out the best of the district.”