Chorley based BT-HS (Bespoke Traffic Highway Solutions), a leader in the design, build, conversion and hire of specialist vehicles, has recently donated a SsangYong Musso 4×4 vehicle from its fleet to Bolton Mountain Rescue Team.
As part of the company’s ongoing community initiatives, BT-HS not only donates the vehicle, but has provided the bespoke conversion to transform the vehicle from the traditional 4×4 vehicle, into a fit for purpose, fully equipped mountain rescue vehicle.
Known for its presence within the traffic management vehicles sector, BT-HS now further cements its place in the emergency vehicles arena. Having completed conversions on police cars and other specialist vehicles, Director Phil Glaiser is proud to add mountain rescue to BT-HS’ provisions. Phil said, “When it comes to traffic management, we’re well established in terms of capability, safety and quality and we feel we have established, and continue to build our reputation in that area. To be able to diversify and service the emergency vehicle sector provides us with both opportunity and a welcome challenge.”
Bolton Mountain Rescue Team (BMRT) was established in 1968 and covers 360 square miles from Rivington to Manchester Airport from Wigan in the west to Darwen and Bury in the east. Bolton Mountain Rescue Team has 51 volunteers on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
BMRT responds, on average, to 100 calls for its assistance per year. (18 so far in 2022). The team supports the police in Greater Manchester and Lancashire with search operations for missing people. It assists the North West Ambulance Service with calls to casualties in difficult to access or remote locations. It provides support to Greater Manchester and Lancashire fire and rescue services with wildfire incidents on the moors and with rope and water rescue operations.
Steve Fletcher, BMRT Team Leader, said, “We were delighted to be confirmed as the recipients of a newly converted SsangYong Musso 4×4 by BT-HS. The team’s new addition to the fleet has the call sign BM4, replacing our recently retired 2004 Land Rover. We have been very impressed with the collaborative design and build of the SsangYong Musso 4×4 and look forward to bringing the vehicle in to operational use.”
Kevin Griffin, Managing Director of SsangYong Motors UK, said, “We’ve been making big strides in the specialist vehicle market and are delighted that the BT-HS team are able to support the fantastic work being done by the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team. The Musso has already proven itself in the blue light services as a powerful and capable vehicle that will be able to handle all challenges the team throw at it, thanks to its brilliant off-road ability and class leading towing and carrying stats. The truck looks fantastic and is a perfect for this role, a go-anywhere, value for money, rugged 4WD vehicle.”
Speaking of its vehicle donation, BT-HS Director Phil concluded, “We were looking for a recipient of the Musso, and there is a link between BT-HS and BMRT via one of our employees, so we approached them about the opportunity to receive a vehicle.
“We were delighted when that was greeted with positivity and appreciation, and from there the ball has rolled to where we are today – very happy to provide a vehicle to such as essential service.”
