News

AA steps in to direct airshow traffic

By Stephen Lloyd
July 05, 2012

POLICE officers will not be out in force directing traffic during this year’s Farnborough International Airshow.

Instead, for the first time the task will be performed by a specially trained team of AA staff.

AA Event Assist has developed a team of fully trained and accredited staff who have been empowered to direct traffic on roads at events, subject to a traffic management plan being in place, as part of Hampshire Constabulary’s Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS).

In order to carry out their duties effectively the Chief Constable of Hampshire has granted the team the power to direct traffic and to require a name and address where it has reasonable cause to believe road traffic offences are being committed.

The accreditation supports the Association of Chief Police Officer’s view that police officers should not generally be used for directing traffic at pre-planned events, thereby releasing officers to undertake core responsibilities.

Sergeant Jason Holford, police planner for the event, said: “Partnership working within Hampshire Constabulary is developing all the time. Utilising the professionalism, local knowledge and skill of other agency staff from a variety of organisations improves our delivery of service to our communities.

“This accreditation allows Hampshire Constabulary to release police resources back into core policing roles, particularly important with the demands being placed upon the police with events this summer.

“The AA’s appointment has meant that we can maximise the use of our resources and provide a visible presence to Hampshire residents and not deploy around 28 officers per day to deal with traffic issues related to the airshow.”

Mick Easom, CSAS manager at the AA, added: “We are delighted to become a Community Safety Accredited company in Hampshire and look forward to being part of the extended police family.

“Our primary role during the Farnborough International Airshow will be to assist with the direction and flow of the traffic travelling to and from the airshow, enabling spectators to get to the event as quickly and safely as possible and local road users to move about the area.”

To find out how roads will be affected visit www.farnborough.com/general-info/public-local-residents-faqs.

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