Police end routine patrols of M4

South Wales Police had warned of cutbacks due to funding concerns

South Wales Police traffic officers will no longer routinely patrol or clear debris along the M4 except when there is a high risk to public safety.

Supt Joe Ruddy, head of roads policing, said the move from 1 May was in line with forces in England and Scotland.

He said it would enable traffic officers to "focus on the core business of tackling crime on our roads".

Chief Constable Barbara Wilding had warned of cutbacks because the force faced a funding shortfall.

Supt Ruddy said: "We can confirm that from Friday, 1 May, traffic officers employed by the force will no longer routinely patrol or routinely clear debris from the M4 and arterial road networks in south Wales, unless there is an immediate high risk to public safety.

We hope a way can be found that the motorway can be patrolled and these incidents dealt with quickly Paul Watters, AA

"We are currently working closely with South Wales Trunk Road Agency who will be increasing their patrols to ensure there is no reduction in service and that the safety of the public is maintained.

"We are encouraged that significant steps are being taken as we work together towards an agreement that will transfer responsibility for the management of the free flow of traffic on the roads network to the Welsh Assembly Government."

The South Wales Trunk Road Agency (SWTRA) manages motorways and trunk roads on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.

South Wales Police said before 1 May, a dedicated roads policing unit consisting of a total of four sergeants and 34 constables would cover the M4 and other "arterial" roads "24/7, 365 days per year".

Now, the officers will police communities alongside other roads policing colleagues.

Paul Watters, head of roads policy at the AA, said he was concerned because policing was needed along the M4.

"They deal with a lot of incidents currently and if we have debris on the carriageway, animals on the carriageway, they respond quickly and can get the motorway flowing quickly which can save the economy a huge amount in unnecessary congestion," he said.

Funding shortfall

"We hope a way can be found that the motorway can be patrolled and these incidents dealt with quickly."

In February, Ms Wilding warned of cutbacks after failing to get a big enough increase in the money raised from council tax.

She said South Wales Police faced a large funding shortfall and could no longer afford routine traffic patrols.

She called for dedicated traffic officers to deal with low-level incidents.

And, without more funds, she said the force would have to charge full policing costs to promoters of major events. These would include pop concerts, football and rugby matches.

The force has since said that event organisers would not have to pay the full costs but instead agree a payment with police following negotiations.

Talks are continuing and it is expected the new charging policy will be applied to sporting events from August.

A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: "We are continuing to work closely with South Wales Police to ensure there is no reduction in service and that the safety of the public is maintained."