Costain is working with the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and National Highways to raise awareness of the dangers of ‘blue light incursions’.
Blue light incursions occur when emergency vehicles enter restricted roadworks areas while attending emergencies. This can create risks for police officers and roadworkers who may be in the area of an incursion.
Costain has collaborated with the NPCC, the PFEW and National Highways to produce an awareness video for police drivers. The video highlights the risks police drivers face when entering restricted roadworks areas, and how they can minimise those risks while maintaining the effectiveness of their response. It also highlights the risks to roadworkers within the traffic management area.
Versions of the video are also being developed for the fire and ambulance services, as well as for frontline roadworkers.
Andy Denman, road sector director at Costain, said: “Improving health and safety underpins our best-in-class delivery of complex road schemes and maintenance projects, and we continuously work to eliminate harm and provide the safest possible working environment for our people.
“Through our trusted, forward-thinking partnership with National Highways and other stakeholders, we have been able to significantly increase the awareness of the risks that can arise from incursions by police drivers. This will help to maximise their safe and effective response to emergencies and support a safer, more resilient road network.”
Melanie Clarke, director of health, safety and wellbeing at National Highways, added: “This initiative has a clear ambition to raise awareness of the risks associated with blue light incursions into roadworks from the perspective of the emergency services or roadworkers, and demonstrates a strong alignment with our vision of connecting the country safely and reliably.”
