Keeping our workers safe

Published

20 Nov 2020

We want to make sure that no-one is harmed on our region’s roads, including those working to maintain and improve them. Everyone should return home safe and well which means we need drivers to take care when driving through our roadworks.

Each day some 3,000 workers are out on our region’s roads doing a whole host of things to make your journeys safer and smoother. From constructing new safety barriers to painting road markings, they work day and night right across our 670-mile network of motorways and major A-roads.

But our roadworkers are often faced with dangerous driving, which puts them at risk. Drivers travelling too fast or entering the roadworks area are just a couple of examples.

This spring 200 drivers mistakenly entered our construction site at the A19 Norton to Wynyard scheme in the north east.

On the A1 near to Scotswood, where we’re widening the road as part of a £183 million project, drivers have put workers at risk by following work vehicles into work areas or ignoring coned off slip roads.

Keith Bradley, project manager for the A19 Norton to Wynyard scheme, said: “We know it can be frustrating when journeys are held-up due to lower speed limits through our works, but it’s vital that you slow down and follow signs to keep everyone safe.”