MIDLANDS-based engineering consultancy Owen Williams has increased its fleet size to cope with the extra work generated by new contracts for Network Rail, formerly Railtrack.

The Birmingham-based company has ordered 30 Vauxhall Combo 1.7 DTi 16v LS models as well as a number of Vectras to supplement its existing fleet of 230 vehicles, which comprises mostly Vauxhalls.

The company has had the vehicles specially adapted with underbody protection to cope with the tough off-road demands of the new contracts.

Car fleet supervisor Karen Purdy said: 'Apart from the extra underside protection, the only other modification we have made is to have the vehicles fitted with alarms, as many of our engineers are carrying expensive equipment. We have also added reflective high-visibility orange and yellow chevrons on the rear doors to make them easier to see at night.'

The vehicles will be contract hired, like the rest of the fleet, with full maintenance contracts for three years/75,000 miles from Birmingham-based contract hire and leasing supplier Fleet Hire. The Combos were supplied, ready liveried, by local Vauxhall dealer Lookers of Yardley.