South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has fitted Michelin CrossClimate+ tyres across its 200-car ‘rapid response’ fleet.

By fitting CrossClimate+ tyres to the all-Škoda Octavia fleet, the Trust could potentially cut the cost of using a ‘tyre hotel’ for out-of-season storage.

South Western Ambulance Service’s fleet operations manager Kevin Bartholomew said: “We only take vehicles off the road for safety inspections or maintenance, and the six-week transition period previously required to swap our summer and winter tyres twice a year was incredibly inconvenient.

“With CrossClimate+, we keep the same tyres on the Škodas year-round, saving time and money.”

 “Lives depend on ensuring safe mobility for our fleet, so we simply can’t afford for tyre-related downtime or lack of grip in snow, ice and rain to delay us on a call-out.

“Fitting CrossClimate+ tyres means we can supply expert lifesaving care, whatever the UK’s unpredictable weather throws at us.”

All the fleet’s frontline vehicles, including its 369 ambulances, run on Michelin tyres purchased through the Crown Commercial Services framework, and fitted by service provider ATS Euromaster.

Michelin CrossClimate tyres were named Fleet News’ Best New Product 2016.