'Jam-busters' on motorway patrols

The patrols aim to get traffic moving after accidents

Special Highways Agency officers have started patrolling Merseyside motorways to improve safety and cut congestion.

The traffic officers will be driving along the M62, M53, M57 and M58 helping motorists who have broken down or assisting police with accidents.

They will be despatched by a new high-tech regional control centre in Newton-le-Willows.

The £14.6m service has already been rolled out in Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

David Ryder, of the Highways Agency, said: "The new traffic officers will improve services to road users - making journeys more reliable and ensuring that time spent in jams is kept to a minimum.

"Since the service started in Cheshire in September we have received praise from stranded drivers and worked closely with the police dealing with the aftermath of incidents to reduce congestion."