A new fleet of fast response vehicles manned by emergency clear-up crews is taking to the roads to help keep Telford & Wrekin in good repair.

The developing Rapid Response Service follows the launch in January of the first of its hit squads, which set about filling in potholes across the borough. The pothole-busters filled more than 10,000 craters in Telford’s weather-beaten roads in just eight weeks.

Additions are now to be made to create a fleet of council vehicles to target environmental issues and help tidy up the borough.

The Rapid Response Service aims to speed up response times by having dedicated teams to target different problems.

The latest addition to the fleet, launched on Sunday as part of a clean up in Mossey Green Way, will target environmental issues such as power washing road signs, removing old signs and posts and taking down unauthorised fly posting.

Another three vehicles are to be added at a later date to make a five-strong fleet.

Council spokesman David Morgan said no capital cost had been incurred creating the fleet as existing vehicles had been used after being refurbished and rebadged.

The overall service also aims to provide a faster response to reports of broken glass, dog waste, litter and problems with council-owned trees.

The authority aims to work closely with town and parish councils across the borough, once the service is fully up and running, by asking them to report issues in their area which can then be dealt with by the appropriate team.

Councillor Adrian Lawrence, cabinet member for environment and rural area, said: “The first team was launched to deal with potholes in rural areas of the borough and has already proven to be a success.

“We are now rolling that out and introducing new teams to enable us to offer the same service with other environmental issues.

“This new initiative will enable us to work with the different town and parish councils to respond quickly to their concerns and help to keep Telford and Wrekin looking clean, green and safe.”

The Rapid Response team has been out and about cleaning signs in Ironbridge this week as part of a bigger pre-Easter tidy up in the town.

By Simon Hardy