'Jam-busters' at work

Patrols are starting on the road's western and southern stretches, as well as the M3 in Surrey and M23 in Sussex.

Their responsibilities include clearing debris, helping police clean up after accidents, moving abandoned vehicles and closing roads temporarily.

The scheme is already up and running in the West Midlands and will be extended across England by February.

The jam-busters are to work closely with police and roadside assistance and recovery organisations.

Accidents

The service will eventually be manned by 1,500 traffic officers, some on the roads, others in control rooms and some based in seven regional control centres across England.

Patrols will be introduced in north-west and north-east England in September, in eastern England in October, the South West in December and the East Midlands in February.

There will be seven control centres in English regions

Transport minister Stephen Ladyman said minimising congestion caused by accidents was vital for ensuring traffic flowed smoothly.

He said: "The new traffic officers will improve services to motorists - making journeys more reliable and ensuring that time spent in jams is kept to a minimum.

"By simplifying traffic management responsibilities, the new traffic officers will enable the police to focus their efforts on their core role of tackling crime."

Brian Moore, deputy chief constable of Surrey Police, said the new patrols would let police concentrate on tackling crime, dealing with serious road accidents and improving driver behaviour.