Barnsley Council to replace hundreds of vehicles in £17.7m plan
The local authority is set to get rid of hundreds of vehicles over the next three years
Barnsley Council is set to consider a £17.7m plan to replace hundreds of its working vehicles over the next three years, including lorries used for bin collections, highways work and neighbourhood services.
A report due before cabinet on April 1 says the council needs to start ordering replacements now because of long manufacturing and delivery times.
Council officers warn that keeping older vehicles on the road for longer would mean higher repair bills, more breakdowns and greater disruption to frontline services.
The plan covers 2026 to 2029 and would see 236 vehicles bought in total. Most would replace older ones already in use, while eight more would be added to cut the council’s reliance on short-term hire.
According to the report, Barnsley’s working vehicle stock is essential for day-to-day services across the borough, including rubbish collections, road repairs and the maintenance of parks and green spaces.
The largest number of new vehicles is expected to arrive in 2027/28, with 149 due that year. Another 78 are expected in 2026/27 and nine in 2028/29.
Waste services are among the biggest parts of the programme. The report shows the number of vehicles used in waste management is expected to rise from 32 to 40, helping support the service and reduce pressure on hired vehicles.
The council is also budgeting £8.2m for the fleet in 2026/27, covering vehicle leasing, maintenance and short-term hire.
A separate section of the report shows the council expects to need 140 short-term hires in 2026/27, at a cost of £3.342m. These are mainly for waste services, home-to-school transport and neighbourhood teams.
Officers say a review will take place over the coming year to see whether some of that hired transport can be reduced, saving money in future.
The report says newer vehicles should be cheaper to run, safer and better for the environment, as they will meet the latest emissions and safety standards.
The replacement vehicles will be used across a range of frontline services, with the biggest numbers going to waste collection, housing repairs and neighbourhood teams.
Berneslai Homes is set to receive the largest share, with 120 vehicles scheduled for 2027/28, while waste management, highways, street cleaning and community services will also see new vehicles introduced.
The council has also looked at greener fuel options, including hydrotreated vegetable oil, which can cut carbon emissions. But officers say it currently costs more than diesel and could add between £100,000 and £350,000 a year to fuel bills.
While the report says the 2026/27 costs can be covered from existing budgets, it warns there could be extra pressure in later years if leasing costs continue to rise.
Councillor James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and highways, said: “This programme is a sensible, long‑term investment that helps us keep costs down, cut emissions, and reduce the risk of service disruption. By planning ahead now, we’re making sure Barnsley is prepared for the future, with a cleaner, greener and more efficient fleet that supports the day‑to‑day services our residents rely on.”
Cabinet members are being asked to approve the programme so the council can begin the buying process in advance.