Kirklees Council is to spend £2.5 million replacing 35 old vehicles in its ageing fleet.

The council says it is operating 268 vehicles that are “beyond their useful operational life.”

The spending was approved by the council’s Cabinet and is aimed at saving money through repairs and maintenance of older, unreliable vehicles.

A council report says the council’s last investment of £6.25 million in December 2021 was expected to replace 73 vehicles, however, due to economic volatility and rising prices, only 48 vehicles could be replaced.

David Shepherd, strategic director for growth and regeneration, said: “Ageing vehicles are prone to breakdowns. With some of our older vehicles having become unreliable, they’re putting additional pressure on staffing resource and council maintenance budgets.

“Investment in new, greener and more sustainable vehicles will help us meet operational demands, ensuring effective service delivery, fewer disruptions and value for money.

“Continuing our transition to a greener, more sustainable fleet supports our ‘Net Zero and Climate Ready by 2038’, meeting Euro 6 requirements to reduce exhaust emissions with cleaner, greener and more efficient fleets serving our communities.”

The council will purchase 35 vehicles over the next two years, including heavy goods vehicles and vans.