It's 'snow' joke as pick-ups get ploughs

A fleet of 10 4x4 pick-ups have been fitted with snow ploughs and capable gritting equipment in an attempt to ensure a rapid response to heavy snow and ice after last year's severe weather.

Powys County Council has modified the Ford Ranger vehicles in-house in an attempt to ensure roads, lanes and communities can be reached in some of the harder to reach areas of the area while larger gritters target main routes.

Darren Martin, Fleet Manager for Powys County Council, said: “The major benefit of these new vehicles is that we are able to provide a service to people who we haven’t been able to help before.

“We are hoping now that we can keep access to schools, old people’s homes and emergency services buildings clear of snow, even in the must rural of places."

The 10 adapted 4x4s have a spring-loaded plough on the front to clear snow from the roads, and also feature a towable gritter that spreads salt behind it, and are currently on standby ready to tackle any possible problems.

For the harder to reach areas of the county, there will also be some smaller gritters that can be transported by the Rangers to clear paths for important services such as the fire brigade and ambulance stations.

Once the temperature begins to rise again, the trucks will be quickly and easily adjusted back to their original configuration and used by the council’s Grounds team, ensuring they are utilized all year round.

The snow-clearing equipment was fitted in-house by Powys County Council’s Vehicle Maintenance staff on existing vehicles, and are a great addition alongside the traditional large gritter lorries in ensuring the majority of the population have a suitable service for wintery conditions.

Photo Caption

Councillor Geraint Hopkins hands the keys to the modified Ford Rangers to Powys County Council Fleet Manager, Darren Martin.