AN AMMANFORD building firm has been praised for its role in constructing two field hospitals within 12 weeks to support the region's response to covid-19.

T Richard Jones Ltd (TRJ), a construction, demolition and civil engineering contractor has been awarded the accolade of HGV Heroes for completing the challenging task.

The honour comes as part of an inspiring new national campaign from the Road Haulage Association (RHA), which celebrates the road transport industry and the workers and individuals who have gone the extra mile to keep essential goods moving across the UK during the most difficult of times.

During the pandemic, the family owned TRJ was tasked by two health boards to carry out the conversion of a leisure centre in Carmarthen into a field hospital alongside construction of the new Swansea Bay field hospital inside an existing empty former Ford axle plant, utilising their fleet of 22 HGVs and 25 trailers.

The success of delivering an 1100-bed field hospital was aided by the dedication and professionalism of the company’s in-house logistics team who ensured that all the materials and timber frame components arrived on site and on time to ensure completion within the tight timeframe.

All year round, the road transport industry is one of the most important industries in the UK, during the pandemic it has been integral to keeping the UK’s economy moving. The industry is essential for businesses and delivers everything that we rely on in our day-to-day lives, with 98 per cent of all goods consumed in the UK moved by truck.

Richard Smith, Managing Director - Operational and Commercial at The Road Haulage Association, said: “The team at T Richard Jones (Betws) Ltd thoroughly deserve to be celebrated as HGV Heroes. We hope this award helps to recognise the incredible amount of effort the team has put in to ensure people in South West Wales are safe and protected during an incredibly difficult and challenging time. The fact they were able to complete such a complex and challenging task in a short amount of time makes them real HGV Heroes.”

Dafydd Jones, Director at T Richard Jones Ltd, said: “It is an absolute honour for the team to have been named as HGV Heroes. Each and every team member has gone above and beyond over the past few months. We were tasked with two huge projects during the COVID19 crisis and it was a big challenge to construct two field hospitals within 12 weeks, but the whole team pulled together and we achieved our target and in turn supported all the local people.”