National Highways’ traffic officer service celebrates its 20th anniversary on Friday (26 April), having increased tenfold over the two decades.
Traffic volume has also increased over the years, with around four million journeys on the strategic road network each day and more than 130,000 breakdowns on motorways last year.
In response, traffic officer numbers have risen from around 90 in 2004 to over a thousand today.
The frontline service started in the Midlands and was subsequently rolled out nationally.
Frank Bird (second from left) and other traffic officers visit 10 Downing Street in 2004
Frank Bird, one of the original traffic officers, is now a senior network planner and widely known for being the National Highways ‘bank holiday getaway’ spokesperson for the media.
In his current role, he also helps manage the Midlands road network for major events and large-scale incidents though he will always be very proud of his earlier role as an officer.
He said: ‘We were what we like to call the vanguard and the front runners for this new service. On day one, I was on the afternoon shift, so the morning team got all the attention with the media.’
He described his former traffic officer role as unique: ‘I couldn't find anything anywhere in the world that was quite like our service, whose primary role was to look after the welfare of the motorist. We weren't there to repair roads or build new bridges but to make journeys safer and hopefully a more pleasant experience.’
Talking about the first time he stopped in his vehicle and stepped out to temporarily hold the traffic in a live lane, he said: ‘I have to say it was almost like the best laxative known to man it. It was quite a surreal but rewarding experience.
‘Back when we started, the uniform was a white shirt and tie. When you're crawling around under a vehicle, you know, getting your hands dirty and whatever. Totally impractical, but the organisation and wider authorities fully embraced our feedback and revamped the uniform.’
