You are looking at a long trip home

Jan 13 2006 By Ross Smith, The Journal

Highways Agency bosses will not widen North-East roads to combat traffic jams - but they are going to let drivers watch them on their mobile phones.

CCTV images will be beamed to mobile telephones to help people plan journeys that will avoid heavy congestion.

But campaigners for better transport in the North-East said the agency was not doing what was needed to stop congestion in the first place.

And the new policy, to be in place by the end of the year, was last night branded nonsense by one Labour MP.

A trial will start with 100 cameras, serving roads including the A1(M) in County Durham. By the end of the year, it will be extended to all Highways Agency cameras, to include the western bypass and A69. The video footage is available free for 14 days, but after that drivers will be charged £1 a day, £4 a month or £40 a year for the pictures.

Highways Agency information director Denise Plumpton said: "We're carrying out this 12-month trial to see if we can help our road users plan their journeys and avoid any delays on the network.

"You'll be able to check real-time traffic conditions on the busiest parts of our network from the convenience of your mobile phone."

North East Chamber of Commerce chief executive George Cowcher said: "We live in a technological age, and technology is wonderful, but it doesn't actually cure the fundamental problem.

"I suppose we'd criticise them if they weren't giving us the information flow.

"But we'd much prefer if they would actually cure the problems causing the jams on the roads in the first place."

Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland said: "I'm not opposed to trying anything to help keep motorists informed about congestion. But I don't by any means think this is the answer to the problem."

Blaydon MP Dave Anderson said: "It sounds like an utter nonsense. We need much more serious action than that."

The agency is already under fire for limiting jams by holding up developments near busy roads in the North.

Page 2: A1 junction closures to be resisted