NEWPORT-BASED gas distributor Wales & West Utilities has unveiled a fleet of 10 new tipper and grab lorries which are part of their latest investment drive to improve service.

The company, which operates the gas network in Wales and the English south west with headquarters in Coedkernew, has spent £1.3million on a 32-tonne tipper and grab lorry, as well as nine 26-tonne vehicles.

The vehicles are fitted with the latest driver technologies, which are designed to make the lorries safer, particularly around cyclists and pedestrians.

“We are delighted with the latest additions to our fleet,” said Andrew Hopkins, the director of operations at Wales & West Utilities.

“We want to deliver an outstanding level of service to our customers – and the safety of our colleagues and other road users is key.”

All vehicles are fitted with the latest cyclist and pedestrian safety systems, allowing the driver to be aware of anyone in the vicinity of the lorry at all times.

The machines are also fitted with a wire watch device that detects overhead cables, a reversing camera, on-board weighing systems and high visibility stroboscopic LED lights to alert other road users when they are working on the highway.

Mr Hopkins added: “We invest wisely in our fleet so we can deliver our essential gas pipe investment programme as efficiently as possible while minimising the impact to the communities in which we are working – and these new vehicles will help us do that.”