Stop and Go boards get CCTV

Highways workers for a consortium containing Vinci and Ringway are now using  stop and go boards equipped with CCTV.

The hi-tech boards are also illuminated with LED lights for extra safety.

The boards are being used by Island Roads on its £750m highways maintenance deal on the Isle of Wight

They have been brought in following three incidents on the Island where operatives were ignored when using traditional stop and go boards to manage traffic.

The new boards record footage and sound in two directions when an operative presses the camera button.

Paul Herbert, Island Roads Service Director, said: “We will not tolerate behaviour that jeopardises the safety of our staff. We place safety at the heart of our business and are always looking for ways to improve this.

“Since 1 April 2013, we’ve had 29 reported near misses at Island Roads as a result of the behaviour of other motorists.

“We analyse these near misses and listen to our staff to identify safer working practices.

“We are confident that these new boards will act as a deterrent to motorists and ensure they do not ignore the instructions given to them by our operatives, thus improving their safety.

“Footage will not be stored nor shared with any other organisation except where it relates to an incident involving road safety.

“This technology is being used solely with the aim of keeping our staff and other road users safe from illegal action.”