Monmouthshire-based vehicle recovery, maintenance and recovery truck distribution business, Caldicot Group, has announced its expansion with a new office in Cheltenham.

The Welsh company’s expansion will create new jobs, with the following roles opening: service van technicians, light recovery operators, heavy recovery operators, administration and management staff.

Its growth led to the company creating a link between its Wales-based and South West of England operations.

Gavin Edwards, managing director at Caldicot Group, said: “We were aware of the lack of an agent in Cheltenham and the need for a police contractor there; this was the key driver for this site.

“Caldicot Group's success in securing Greenflag and AA work in both Cheltenham and Gloucester ensured that the Gloucester depot was a must keep in this area.”

The expansion should help the company to improve upon its recovery equipment sales, which should allow fleets to be developed at reduced rates.

“We find that the two areas of the UK work hand-in-hand in the industry," said Edwards. “Very often, the transport operators in Wales work in both areas and vice versa.

“All of our depots are close to the border and are able to offer services to both Wales and the west of England.

“A main objective in expanding Caldicot Group into Cheltenham and Gloucester is to build on these links and create a better service.”

Earlier this year it was revealed that electric cars and plug-in hybrid cars could take longer to recover in the event of a collision than a regular petrol or diesel car, due to safety concerns over the battery.

In many cases, a crashed electric vehicle (EV) cannot be towed as the driven wheels remain locked unless the car can be switched on to put it in neutral.