CIVILIAN traffic officers from the Highways Agency will start to patrol the motorways of Greater Manchester next spring.
Police will continue to enforce road traffic law, investigate crime and retain overall responsibility for serious incidents, but Highways Agency staff will clear debris, arrange the removal of damaged, abandoned and broken down vehicles, provide temporary and mobile road or lane closures, direct traffic and handle emergency roadside calls.
They will also support the police in the management of fatal and serious incidents, high visibility policing, vehicle escorts and road user education.
Although they will not have investigatory or law enforcement powers, it will be an offence not to comply with their directions. Supt Janette McCormick, head of GMP's traffic network section said: "They will undertake more routine roles that don't require specialist police training and powers. Their introduction will enable the road policing units to concentrate on targeting road safety issues and crime on the network."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article