Dustcarts are to be fitted with on-board sprinkler systems after a spate of mysterious fires decimated the borough's fleet.

Five Dennis Eagle vehicles have burst into flames since 1998 including two this year but a report into the cause of the fault proved inconclusive.

The first batch of 20 new Dennis Eagle dustcarts was due to arrive this week as part of a deal worth £5.5million. The company has fitted sprinkler systems for free and will upgrade Barnet's five existing Dennis Eagle dustcarts.

Council chiefs say the innovative sprinkler systems designed to kick in seconds after a fire starts could be used nationwide if successful.

Councillor Geof Cooke, Barnet Council's cabinet member for environment, said: "Working closely with out partners we have come up with a modern safety system that will not only protect our borough but could be used by all local authorities."

But the delivery of the new vehicles may re-ignite controversy surrounding their ordering. Barnet Council claimed it delayed the decision until the end of June to wait for a report into the blazes.

But it emerged that senior officer Steve Presland, head of environmental services, had appeared in Dennis Eagle's June newsletter confirming the purchase and describing vehicles as "top-notch".

Angry union representatives denied Mr Presland's claim that the workforce supported ordering the vehicles before a safety report was published. Tories branded the affair a "debacle".

This week Tony Warr of the GMB union welcomed the new measures, adding: "We hope this common sense approach demonstrates how seriously we take the issue of health and safety."

December 5, 2001 10:47

MATTHEW NIXSON