We’re pleased to welcome to the team Traffic Officer, Elen James and Traffic Officer, Kristian Duffield.

Elen and Kristian have passed their Traffic Officer Foundation training, pictured here receiving their epaulettes.

The foundation training provides the necessary skills for the role after recruitment. During training, Traffic Officers start with classroom-based theory which includes updates on legislation such as Traffic Officer powers, Health & Safety, and trunk roads.

This is followed by a week of driver training which is dedicated to familiarisation of the traffic officer vehicle and in-vehicle equipment, before moving to an airfield to practice Emergency Traffic Management (lane closure) deployment in a safe environment. This also includes rolling roadblocks and carriageway clearance (removing vehicles).

The training concludes with six days working on the live highway with an approved coach where they are assessed on several elements.

Upon completion of the training, Traffic Officers have the power to manage traffic flow, stop and direct vehicles, close lanes, place and temporarily maintain traffic signs, and remove obstructions, though they do not have law enforcement powers such as issuing tickets, they can direct a driver to pull over safely when necessary.

The duties of a Traffic Officer are extensive. From towing vehicles from live carriageways, managing road traffic collisions, to dealing with animals, no two days are ever the same. Elen and Kristian are now out on the road with colleagues keeping the network safe and moving.