£320,000 investment to tackle road closure times at major incidents

Traffic Officer Service will respond quickly to incidents.

A £320,000 investment has been made into high-tech equipment to reduce road closure times at major incidents.

The Welsh Assembly Government has bought each of the four Welsh Police forces a surveying kit which allows evidence gathering at traffic collisions using a sophisticated GPS system.

The launch of the new kit comes as trial Traffic Officer Service in South Wales became fully operational, with a full team of officers. Their main aim is to respond quickly to incidents making the area safe before calling in police or other emergency services.

Highly visible officers and their distinctly marked vehicles are now patrolling the M4 Motorway from the Second Severn Crossing to J34 and A470 from Coryton to Abercynon.

This is will prove vital in ensuring the smooth running of the Welsh roads network, help reduce congestion, and shorten delays for the travelling public.

The Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "The equipment will enable a one person operation for collision investigation at serious incidents. Evidence can then be gathered quickly without having to rely on ‘line of sight’ to survey, or having to wait for the scene to be clear before gathering evidence."

"Traffic Officers will present the public face of the Welsh Assembly Government on the highway and will play an essential role in the safety of Welsh roads. By undertaking general traffic and road management tasks they allow the police to concentrate on tackling crime, investigating collisions and enforcing the law."

Further information:
Welsh Assembly Government