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A wind generator has been built at Castell Henllys, the Scheduled
Ancient Monument situated within the Pembrokeshire Coast National
Park, to provide power for an electric powered people carrier.
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Castell Henllys is one of many prehistoric promontory
forts dating from around 600BC in the region, but what
makes this site particularly important is that archaeologists
have been excavating here for over twenty years and
thatched Iron Age buildings have been reconstructed
on their original foundations.
It is a major attraction for visitors of all ages,
but the access to the hill fort is steep and can often
deter the elderly and those suffering from physical
disabilities. To help ensure that there is open access
for all, the park authority has purchased an electric
powered vehicle to overcome this problem and provide
transport to the settlement.
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Following a statutory tendering process, they selected an
E-Z-GO MPT utility vehicle marketed by Ransomes Jacobsen and
supplied by Birds Vehicle Solutions of Cowbridge in the Vale
of Glamorgan.
The MPT features a 48 volt motor with E-Z-GO's revolutionary
Precision Drive System, which has three drive options - All
Terrain, Mild Hill and Steep Hill - to suit specific topography
characteristics. In this particular instance the Steep Hill
option was selected.
Lloyd George is Head Warden at Castell Henllys and is responsible
for the site. He commented - "The MPT is excellent; we expected
to use it a couple of times a day, but word has got round
and we are using it more frequently. This can only be good
as we want to welcome as many visitors as possible. A real
positive of the vehicle is that it has regenerative braking,
which means that it can't run away downhill. This is a particularly
important safety feature and sets it apart from similar machines."
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Phil Bennett, Heritage Archaeology
Manager at Castell Henllys added - "This is a sensitive
site and our environmental policy is in place to protect
it as much as possible. We received Sustainable Development
Funding to support the purchase and to build a wind turbine,
which generates the electricity to power the vehicle.
We're confident that it will generate enough power to
exceed the needs of the MPT. |
"The MPT has proved very popular and has certainly helped
us to be as socially inclusive as possible. Its walk through
platform allows easy access and the cargo bed is ideal for
transporting wheelchairs."
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