Diesel salt spreaders in Brent have been replaced by electric models as part of the council’s bid to improve the borough’s environment.

The council, in partnership with waste management company Veolia, announced it would use a fully electric salt spreading fleet of five vehicles on Brent’s 1,700 roads this winter.

It noted this will make it the first in the UK to do so, while it forms part of its commitment to establishing carbon neutrality by the end of the decade.

Cllr Krupa Sheth, who is responsible for the environment at Brent Council, said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to get our hands on these new eco-salt spreaders, bringing us another step closer to our ambition of being a carbon neutral borough by 2030.

“The fact that they are quieter than other gritters is a great example of the added bonuses that often come with going green.”

Representatives from Veolia explained “high priority” areas, such as near schools, hospitals, care homes and along main roads, would be gritted first in response to reports of ice or snow, with the remaining streets treated afterwards.

Salt spreading makes travel safer by creating an additional briny layer between the snow or ice and the road, which reduces the risk of slipping and enables traffic to run more smoothly.

However, the introduction of salt can corrode cars and structures – such as bridges – while excessive spreading can have environmental consequences.