TWO new road cleaning machines are set to hit the streets to keep the city looking its best this summer.

The City of York Council has invested in the new equipment after withdrawing its three Nilfisk street cleaning machines in November 2016, following an accident in which one of the vehicles overturned.

Two new members of staff will also be recruited to operate the new equipment during the tourist season and an extra employee will be appointed to help with the emptying of litter bins.

The director of York BID, Andrew Lowson, called on the council to get its street cleaning machines back into action after a busy weekend at the start of July, which left the city centre looking worse for wear.

The extra equipment includes a pedestrian mechanised sweeper to focus on litter and a vacuum machine to remove rubbish such as cigarette butts.

Cllr Andrew Waller, deputy leader and executive member for the environment, said: “We have made investments into frontline services to boost the efforts to take pride in our city, and this is one of a number of steps which have been taken to work with existing teams and partnerships.”

Cllr Ian Gillies, leader of City of York Council, said: “Investing in this important front line service is vital for our city. For the first time in many months we are pleased to say that our street cleaning service is back to running at full capacity."

The funding for the new machines was agreed at an executive council meeting on June 21.

An investigation was launched following the street sweepers toppling over and this led to the manufacturer making modifications to the machines.

A council spokesman said while the investigation was ongoing and the machines were off the road, the council hired replacement machines and worked with York BID to ensure a street cleaning service was provided.