A NEW rapid response service to deal with smashes and hold-ups has been launched to ease congestion on Worcestershire's motorways.

A 13-strong fleet of Incident Support Unit (ISU) vehicles are now patrolling the network 24-hours-a-day to solve problems and reduce accident clear-up times on the Midlands motorway box and adjoining trunk roads.

The ISU vehicles are manned by skilled crews trained in scene and safety management.

Monitored through an electronic tracking system by traffic controllers, they will respond to incidents within 20 minutes.

Maintenance

The vehicles carry equipment enabling them to carry out emergency maintenance and repairs to make the scene of the incident safe and get traffic moving again.

"I welcome the initiative by the Highways Agency, and contractors AmeyMouchel, working in partnership with the Central Motorway Police Group and other emergency services," said Transport Minister the Rt Hon John Spellar MP, who launched the service.

"This new service ensures a more integrated approach to incident management and will reduce clear-up times and the associated congestion.

"Incidents contribute to some 25 per cent of all congestion on the network. Reducing the response and the clear-up times following incidents will help cut congestion and improve safety, and provide a better quality service to drivers in the Midlands."

Inspector Keith Grima, of Central Motorway Police Group, added: "This is another excellent example of how well our partnership with the Highways Agency is working."