HIGHWAYS AGENCY BRINGS CCTV IMAGES TO YOUR MOBILE
HIGHWAYS AGENCY News Release (HA004-06 ) issued by the Government News Network on 11 January 2006
Video footage from Highways Agency CCTV cameras will be brought direct to your mobile phone, in a trial agreed by the Highways Agency. For the first time, images previously only shared with road service providers, the police and emergency services, will now be made available to the public.
The trial starts with 100 cameras on the M25, M1, M6, M4, M5, M40 M42, M54, M60, A1M, M61 and will extend to the full Highways Agency CCTV network by the end of the year.
Denise Plumpton, Information Director, 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."
The Highways Agency advises drivers to plan journeys. Check your route for delays and check the weather forecast. While you are driving listen to travel news on the radio. Information about current road conditions is on the Highways Agency's website http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo
Information about road conditions on the motorways and trunk roads in England is available from the Highways Agency:
Information Line 08457 504030 or
voice activated helpline 08700 660 115,
* Website: http://www.highways.gov.uk.
Information on weather conditions is available from
* The Met Office website - http://www.metoffice.gov.uk
* Local radio broadcasts
Our partner in the trial is MX Data, which provides map-based traffic and travel information to the mobile service industry. The service, which supports over 100 handsets and the four networks O2, Orange, VodaFone, Tmobile, already provides local authority, Scottish and Welsh CCTV images.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. It manages, maintains and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf of the Transport Secretary.
2. To get more details of the service visit http://www.traffictv.co.uk or phone MxData on 01625 526644. To get a free trial text 'traffic mxdata' to 60070. You will need a colour screen handset that can connect to the internet. For advice on connecting please contact your network provider.
3. The Highways Agency traffic information website is at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo.
4. For real-time traffic information, the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated telephone service is on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more).
5. For general information about the Agency, visit the website http://www.highways.gov.uk or telephone the Highways Agency information line on 08457 50 40 30. (Calls from BT landlines to 0845 numbers will cost no more than 4p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more. Service operates: 8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends.)
Issued by the Highways Agency Press Office. For further information please contact 020 7081 7443.
Out of hours the Highways Agency Duty Press Officer can be contacted on 020 7081 7443.
