New look Traffic Radio to benefit motorists

The Highways Agency has launched an updated version of its digital radio station, Traffic Radio.

The updated version, with a new more dynamic sound, will now be broadcast live 24 hours a day from the Highways Agency's National Traffic Control Centre in Birmingham.

Available on digital radio and via a new look website at trafficradio.org.uk, "Traffic Radio" lets drivers hear the latest:

* Traffic conditions on motorways and major A roads in England
* Emergency incidents
* Roadworks

The Agency's Director of Information, Denise Plumpton said: "I'm delighted to be able to launch a new version of Traffic Radio.

Traffic Radio provides helpful information to enable people to make choices about their journey, whether they're driving for work, visiting relatives or going on holiday. The radio format allows people to check traffic conditions easily before they leave the house or office.

"Those with DAB radios in their cars can also make informed decisions about alternative routes, should conditions change when they are en route. People with mobile internet access can check the latest conditions when they take a break from their journeys."

Traffic Radio is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year and is updated every 10 minutes at busy times.

It offers regional traffic news, linked into the part of the country where people are listening, as well as national headlines. There are also infomercials, for example explaining our Traffic Officer Service or giving safety advice and tips about planning your journey.

The Highways Agency initially trialled Traffic Radio through the internet and via a number of short-term licences around major events. Feedback from drivers was extremely positive with people reporting that the information had influenced their journeys.

The updated service, now provided by Global Traffic Network, will be broadcast 24/7 from the Highways Agency's National Traffic Control Centre in Birmingham where presenters have access to information from 3,750 road sensors and over 1,000 CCTV cameras. This will be supplemented by reports from Highways Agency staff out on the roads, the police and Global Traffic Network's own network of planes and helicopters.

The service is available on DAB digital radio to an area covering potentially 80% of the population of England. The service will become more widely available over the next two years as more local licences become available. Traffic Radio is also available over the internet at trafficradio.org.uk

The service is run by the Highways Agency in partnership with Transport for London. The Agency is also speaking to partners at Traffic Scotland, Traffic Wales and DRDNI (Northern Ireland) about joining the service in the future. The aim is to provide a joined-up service across the country.

To tune in to the DAB service, simply press the "scan" button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".