Cumbria’s transport services senior manager David Jenkinson says that, until they change roles again for next winter, his pair of 4x4 trucks will be crewed by fire-fighters from the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.
“The Unimogs are superbly capable and are really the only viable option for the type of terrain we have to deal with,” states Jenkinson.
“Throughout winter they are right at home on Cumbria’s high fell routes, whatever the weather, and in summer they can access fires which could be miles from the nearest road,” he explains.
The Unimogs’ relatively compact footprint is also useful when working on narrow county roads, many of which have high banks or stone walls.
“We’ve operated Unimogs before so our drivers are familiar with them,” says Jenkinson.
“The U500s are the best we’ve seen though. The cabs are extremely well designed and user-friendly, with superb all-round visibility, and they’re supremely competent whatever the conditions.”