The UK rail company, First Capital Connect, is to use adapted quad bikes to clear snow from its station forecourts and car parks this winter. First Capital is believed to be the first train operator in the UK to use such vehicles in a snow ploughing role. The specialised quad bikes are capable of clearing of a station forecourt in around 15 minutes, and are to be operated by the company’s team of cleaners. They will be available for use in every station forecourt and car park operated by First Capital Connect.
The vehicles have been described as a “fantastic innovation” by Keith Jipps, Head of Customer services for FCC. He went on to say:
“The Met Office is predicting that this winter will be colder than last year and we at FCC are determined to be as well prepared as possible. The quad bike snow ploughs will be very useful in helping our customers to reach our stations and their destinations safely during times of snow disruption.”
The news comes in light of a recent report of council services in Manchester having used quad bikes in a major gritting operation.
This announcement underlines the remarkable versatility of quad bikes. Thought of by many as sporting and leisure vehicles, quad bikes in fact have a vital role to play as working vehicles, especially on farms and estates throughout the UK. Quad bike retailers are more than aware of the flexibility of these all-terrain vehicles. In Lancashire, for instance, farmers are spoilt for choice when it comes to the range of agricultural quad bikes, new and second hand, which are available.