§ Sir Michael ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what role the police would have in the proposed regional traffic control centres; and if he will make a statement. [6120]
§ Mr. WattsThe general principles underpinning the development of RTCCs have been discussed with the police at national and local level, and the Highways Agency is continuing to work with the Association of Chief Police Officers on all aspects of the proposals. There are no plans to change the role of the police. They will continue to perform their present functions, and will remain responsible for policing the network and for managing traffic in the vicinity of accidents and other incidents.
The centres will complement existing local traffic control and communications systems provided by the agency to enable the police to deal with accidents and other incidents on the network.
Regional traffic control centres will provide a facility for the Highways Agency to manage traffic across the motorway and trunk road network, and improve the co-ordination and dissemination of traffic information.