Traffic officers will help police during jams and accidents

The uniformed officers will work alongside police to manage incidents and keep traffic moving.

They will be supported by staff at a new 24-hour Regional Control Centre in Avonmouth, near junction 18 of the M5.

The �9.3m Highways Agency Traffic Officer Service was launched by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling on Tuesday morning.

Freeing resources

Supt Lawrie Lewis, from Avon and Somerset Constabulary, said: "Today's launch will free up police resources to focus on our core policing activity of tackling crime.

"With levels of traffic on the increase, this new service will allow the Highways Agency and the police to work together and improve the service we give to the public."

The team will begin patrolling parts of the M5 and M4 as well as the M32, M48 and M49.

By summer 2006, a further outstation in Stanton St Quintin on the M4 will be open.

The regional control centre will then be headquarters to 29 control room staff and 132 traffic officers who will monitor and patrol 209 miles of motorways across Avon & Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Devon.