Car mission for TA troops

Special equipment was needed to remove cars from some areas

The Territorial Army's latest mission has been tracking mountains in the south Wales valleys for wrecked and abandoned cars.

The soldiers tackled the removal of about 40 abandoned and burnt-out cars which littered the mountains across the Cynon Valley.

The 580 (Ambulance) Squadron from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers based in Bridgend spent two days clearing the vehicles from the area.

Four 28-tonne heavy duty recovery vehicles and other smaller vehicles were used to lift and remove the wrecks.

Brought in as part of Rhondda Cynon Taf council's Cleaner Valleys Campaign, the squadron had to be called in to provide specialist lifting equipment to remove cars from hard to reach areas of the mountain.

"Having the Territorial Army helps us tackle the problem of abandoned cars is great news," said Adrian Hobson, the council's cabinet member for environmental improvement.

"They can bring extra muscle power and heavy lifting equipment that can go where conventional lorries cannot.

The area was littered with abandoned and burnt out cars

"We have worked with the Senior NCOs from the squadron to identify the key areas they are going to target.

"The council's abandoned vehicle team will remove the vehicles once they have been rescued," he added.

Andy Risedale, warrant officer, said: "The operation will enable us to practice our complex recovery skills in difficult terrain.

"It is excellent training for our recovery mechanics to improve their trade skills by presenting them with unusual vehicle recovery tasks in inaccessible areas.

"It will also help to restore the areas in question to their former beauty," he added.