Novuna Vehicle Solutions Delivers Specialist All-Terrain Emergency Vehicle to Support Kier’s Environmental Project at Arne Moors

Meeting the Challenge of Arne Moors

Kier is working in partnership with the Environment Agency, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and Natural England to transform 150 hectares of low-lying grasslands into intertidal wetlands. This ambitious project aims to ensure the vast array of wildlife the coastline is home to will remain protected for decades to come.

The sheer scale and complexity of the site posed a significant challenge: access to remote and unpredictable terrain while ensuring safety for archaeologists, ecologists, scientists, and construction teams working in the area. Previous all-terrain vehicles struggled with the conditions, incurring high rental costs and proving unfit for purpose. That’s when Novuna Vehicle Solutions stepped in.

A Bespoke Solution – Designed for Performance and Safety

The process began when Kier's Transport Manager invited David Bell, Asset Engineering Manager at Novuna, to visit the Moors at Arne to meet with Roy Austin, Kier Site Foreman, to gain insight into the challenges they had faces with previously hired units.

Roy explained that over time, they had tested various ATVs, all of which had proven unsuitable. Some lacked the durability to withstand harsh terrain, others suffered mechanical failures, and many simply got stuck. Their most recent rental, a Can-Am, demonstrated the necessary robustness but came with significant drawbacks - it was costly to hire, lacked an enclosed cab, and the rental company was not able to accommodate modifications. 

Through understanding the specific requirements, David worked to develop a tailored vehicle specification. Once costed, it became clear that leasing a fully customised unit, equipped with all of the required features, was not only a more effective long term solution but also more cost effective than previous short-term rentals. 

Novuna Vehicle Solutions collaborated with a specialist CanAm dealer to design and deliver a fully customised, robust, and efficient emergency response unit. The vehicle boasts:

• Fully enclosed cab with glazed doors for 360-degree visibility.
• Internal heating system for operator comfort in all weather conditions.
• Remote-control winch and ultra-bright LED scene lighting for enhanced safety.
• R65 compliant roof beacons, front & rear strobes, and high-visibility livery for maximum visibility in emergency situations.
• Covered load and casualty space equipped with first aid supplies, a defibrillator, and specialist rescue stretchers.
• 10-wheel drive capability with gel-filled puncture-proof tyres for superior durability and off-road performance.
• On-site service and maintenance ensuring operational readiness at all times.
• Road-legal registration, offering versatility for multi-site usage.

With its ability to traverse even the harshest terrain, the CanAm emergency unit ensures rapid response in case of accidents. With the CanAM’s lights, high contrast livery and beacons it can be used by a rescue helicopter to locate the casualty which not only saves time but allows the ground team to administer lifesaving care.

Expansion and Future Deployment

The success of the first CanAm emergency response unit has led Kier to take delivery of two additional vehicles: another 10-wheel drive model for general site operations and a six-seater unit for an Environment Agency project in Bridgewater. These vehicles will continue to enhance site safety, operational efficiency, and environmental protection, aligning with Kier’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure development.

Karl Simpson, Group Head of Fleet & Plant at Kier, expressed his enthusiasm about collaborating with Novuna to explore sustainable and cost-effective solutions.