Openreach Vehicles

Openreach
a BT Group business

Openreach was launched by BT on the 11th January 2006
"Openreach is a new multi-billion pound business that will be responsible for the nationwide local BT network. It is set to become a familiar household name as it will contain BT's field force of 25,000 engineers. These engineers make more than 3.5 million home visits every year on behalf of hundreds of companies. They are the men and women who install new lines, upgrade the local network and maintain the green cabinets at the side of the road. In short, they are the people who ensure that tens of millions of people across the UK have reliable local access to telephony and internet services."
Photo: Openreach vans at a BT Fleet centre © LSA May 2006

Openreach History

Openreach manages BT's 'Local Loop' on behalf of the majority of Telecoms Service Providers (TSPs) in the UK.

Openreach Ollie

Ollie is a children's character based on an Openreach engineer. Ollie helps Openreach achieve its 'First Mile' programme.
"Openreach's 'First Mile' education programme helps families provide the foundations for communication skills in pre-school children. Working with I CAN, the aim is to equip every child with the ability and confidence to interact with the world around them, as they embark on a lifetime of communicating."
You can watch Ollie at a typical family day out.

Vauxhall Combo

The Vauxhall Combo CDTI is the commonplace small van for Openreach duties.
Openreach Vauxhall Combo CDTI WR58 EAA © LSA April 2009
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Vauxhall Corsa

The Vauxhall Corsa is the commonplace car/van derivative for Openreach duties.
The Vauxhall Corsa © LSA June 2009
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Vauxhall Vivaro

The Vauxhall Vivaro is the workhorse of the medium sized fleet van for Openreach duties.
Openreach Vauxhall FE07 TWG in London © LSA June 2008
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Ford Transit

BT's contracts for vehicles tend to favour different manufacturers at varying periods such that both Ford and Vauxhall have supplied vans for the fleet within recent years.
The Ford Transit is the commonplace medium sized van for Openreach duties.
The Ford Transit LB57 AEY © LSA April 2009
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Ford Transit One-Tonne

The Ford Transit TDCi one-tonne Utility with Anglian bodywork fitted out by Papworth is ideally suited to Openreach duties.
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Ford BX08 FJK at Amberley Working Museum © LSA April 2008

An Openreach Ford Transit with Versalift, with trade plates, on delivery.
Photo © George Ward 2009

Electric

Electric Vehicles

Stuart Gair of Smith Electric Vehicles (left) looks on as Simon Tory, Senior Fleet Innovation and Vehicle Design Manager, Openreach, gets in the driving seat of one of the new vans.
Learn more...(soon)
Openreach electric vehicle courtesy of openreach.com newsletter.

Chevrons Traffic Signs Manual (2009) Chapter 8 Section O5.2.3

...In addition, on high-speed roads, all vehicles stopping on the highway for works purposes or inspections shall be equipped with high visibility rear markings.

High visibility rear markings should comprise either:
a) signing to diagram 7403, or

b) the alternative light arrow sign in accordance with Section O10.8, or

c) chevron markings comprising alternate strips of fluorescent orange-red retroreflective material and fluorescent yellow non-retroreflective material, of not less than 150 mm width each, inclined at 45-60° to the horizontal and pointing upwards, or
d) a solid block of fluorescent orange-red retroreflective material.

The markings described in (c) and (d) above should cover as much of the rear-facing portion of the vehicle as possible without obscuring windows, vehicle lighting or registration plates. Where the main body of the vehicle being used is not a recognised conspicuous colour (yellow or white) then the above markings should be supplemented by a high visibility fluorescent yellow retroreflective strip, of not less than 50 mm wide, along the side of vehicle as a minimum.
O5.2.4 Red retroreflective tape shall also be applied to all rear facing edges of open doors, guardrails and equipment lockers.
See also: Department for Transport - Traffic Signs Manual

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