In a bid to improve the safety of drivers and pedestrians, Inverclyde Council has installed 360-degree Sentinel safety cameras on its refuse vehicles.

The vehicles operate around one of Scotland’s most compact council areas, covering the towns of Greenock, Port Glasgow, Gourock and the villages of Kilmacolm, Inverkip and Wemyss Bay.

With this in mind, Sentinel Systems installed an all-round camera system with recording, as well as side scan with visual and rear radar warnings.

The radar systems alert passers-by and cyclists to reversing vehicles and cover any blind spots with visual and audio aids.

The Council has already received some good feedback from driver supervisors and insurance personnel who have found the systems very useful in providing evidence in a number of instances.

Sentinel’s 360-degree cameras have an inbuilt DVR system, which lowers the risk of potential accidents and records any incidents that might occur. The DVR captures up to 30 days of footage.

Inverclyde Council has also welcomed the launch of a new depot, a state-of-the-art development which will service the council’s vehicles.

The VMF (Vehicle Maintenance Facility), part of an overall depot project, is now home to the roads service, refuse collection, maintenance staff and transport services, and also incorporates a new recycling centre, fuel storage, distribution facilities and a salt barn.