Residents name council's new street sweepers

The contest, which ran during the summer, attracted more than 200 entries from residents of all ages, with the winners selected by a judging panel, including council officers and Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Community and Environment.

The winners were invited to see the newly-named machines in person, alongside Cllr Lavery during an event at the Civic Centre in Uxbridge, on Saturday 18 October.

The winners and their chosen names (which are printed on the side of the vehicles) are: 

• David Edwards from Ruislip - Obi Wan Cleanobi 
• Millie Gray from Hayes - Sweeping Beauty  
• Abbie Matthews from Hayes - Sweep Caroline  
• Harper Boyd-Gambling from West Drayton - Baa Baa Road Sweep 
• Jane Mason from Ruislip - Optimus Grime 
• Sara Bibi from Hayes - Lightning McSweep 
• Lee Carter from Uxbridge - Trusty Dusty.  

The vehicles have replaced machines that have accrued more than 10,000 hours of sweeping per year during past six years, and benefit residents by being faster, and more productive and reliable.

In addition to sweeping roadsides, they can also be adapted to use weed-ripping brushes to remove plants from footpaths, creating a more efficient, sustainable service that helps keep the borough looking pleasant.

The council's fleet of sweepers works year-round to clear roadside of debris and rubbish, and during October to January they play a vital role in clearing heavy leaf falls.

Cllr Lavery said: "These new vehicles represent a notable service upgrade with their improved performance, bigger capacity and weed-removal capabilities.

"By reducing the time and effort needed to keep our roadsides looking clean and pleasant and replacing older, less reliable machines, it means fewer disruptions and an overall more efficient service for residents."

The sweepers are already in use performing daily rounds across the borough, so keep an eye out for your favourite.