A TEAM of rapid response motorcyclists has taken to the motorways to help clear traffic and beat congestion.

The riders, working for the Highways Agency, will respond to accidents on the M60 within 20 minutes supporting the emergency services and helping to re-open blocked lanes quickly.

The motorbikes, which are based at the Highways Agency depot near the Reebok Stadium, will be able to manoeuvre past standing traffic and negotiate sections of the motorway that has a narrow or no hard shoulder and will join a fleet of nine vehicles for peak periods, patrolling the busiest parts of the motorway network. The new 1100cc motorbikes will be on patrol between 5am and 9pm.

The service is part of a £100 million, four year project by the Highways Agency to streamline the management of the motorway and trunk road network in Greater Manchester and Cheshire.