Rail maintenance group Network Rail has taken delivery of 400 vehicles in one month to replace existing models which no longer meet the group’s safety standards.

Environmental concerns were also important when choosing the new fleet as Network Rail collaborates with the Carbon Trust to counteract the emissions from its fleet.

The new fleet includes chassis cabs, 4x4s, combo crew vans and cars, all supplied by Lex and Clarks in Doncaster. Out of the 400 vehicles, 133 were messing van conversions that provide mobile offices for track maintenance staff.

Jon Walden, managing director of Lex, said: “Renewing this number of vehicles in such a short space of time was certainly a challenge, but it is a perfect example of good teamwork.”

Lex has already supplied more than 1,000 messing van units to Network Rail.