New look traffic radio to benefit motorists
HIGHWAYS AGENCY News Release (HA-30-08) issued by The Government News Network on 1 July 2008
The Highways Agency today (1 July) launched an updated version of its popular digital radio station, Traffic Radio.
The updated version, with a new more dynamic sound, will now be broadcast live 24 hours a day from the Highways Agency's National Traffic Control Centre in Birmingham.
Available on digital radio and via a new look website at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk, "Traffic Radio" lets drivers hear the latest:
* Traffic conditions on motorways and major A roads in England
* Emergency incidents
* Roadworks
The Agency's Director of Information, Denise Plumpton said:
"I'm delighted to be able to launch a new version of Traffic Radio.
Traffic Radio provides helpful information to enable people to make choices about their journey, whether they're driving for work, visiting relatives or going on holiday. The radio format allows people to check traffic conditions easily before they leave the house or office.
"Those with DAB radios in their cars can also make informed decisions about alternative routes, should conditions change when they are en route. People with mobile internet access can check the latest conditions when they take a break from their journeys."
Traffic Radio is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year and is updated every 10 minutes at busy times.
It offers regional traffic news, linked into the part of the country where people are listening, as well as national headlines. There are also infomercials, for example explaining our Traffic Officer Service or giving safety advice and tips about planning your journey.
The Highways Agency initially trialled Traffic Radio through the internet and via a number of short-term licences around major events. Feedback from drivers was extremely positive with people reporting that the information had influenced their journeys.
The updated service, now provided by Global Traffic Network, will be broadcast 24/7 from the Highways Agency's National Traffic Control Centre where presenters have access to information from 3,750 road sensors and over 1,000 CCTV cameras. This will be supplemented by reports from Highways Agency staff out on the roads, the police and Global Traffic Network's own network of planes and helicopters.
The service is available on DAB digital radio to an area covering potentially 80% of the population of England. The service will become more widely available over the next two years as more local licences become available. Traffic Radio is also available over the internet at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk
The service is run by the Highways Agency in partnership with Transport for London. The Agency is also speaking to partners at Traffic Scotland, Traffic Wales and DRDNI (Northern Ireland) about joining the service in the future. The aim is to provide a joined-up service across the country.
To tune in to the DAB service, simply press the "scan" button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".
Notes to Editors
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. It manages, maintains and improves England's motorways and trunk roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
2. The Highways Agency traffic information website is at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo
3. 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).
4. To check the latest road conditions before leaving the house or office, people can listen to Traffic Radio on DAB digital radio. It's also available at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk
5. For general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency information line on 08457 50 40 30 at any time. (Calls to 0845 numbers cost no more than 3p/min from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other and mobile networks may vary.)
For further information please contact Anthony Aston on 07879 086026
Out of hours the Highways Agency Duty Press Officer can be contacted by phoning 020 7081 7443.
