Drivers race through road works to dodge traffic jams

Motorists are removing cones on road works and driving through live construction sites.

Contractors on the M60 near Manchester recorded eight "near-misses" across one weekend as cars raced through closed sections of the motorway.

Greater Manchester Police are now promising to prosecute offenders and have given roadworkers an evidence check-list of the things they will need to bring charges.

The "near miss" reports for the M60 work have been compiled by Warrington-based A-one+, the Highways Agency’s main contractors for south Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

But the incidents are not confined to the M60 - with contractors working on the recent widening of the M6 near Preston also put at risk by people driving into the roadworks after removing cones and ignoring signs.

David Craik, General Manager of A-one+ said: "Our specialist contractors are becoming increasingly alarmed at the number of times motorists are ignoring lane closures.  There have been numerous incidents where private motorists are stopping on the motorway at the roadworks, moving cones and barriers and then driving through the site - sometimes at high speeds.

"Within the current M60 works trenches are being dug across the road at least a metre wide – and if a car hits one of those at speed then we could be looking at a fatality not to mention the risks roadworkers are being exposed to."

Roger Coles, Highways Agency liaison officer for Greater Manchester Police, said: "Putting roadworkers’ lives at risk with this kind of behaviour is inexcusable and we will prosecute drivers where we can.   Drivers are certainly risking fines and points leading to a ban but offences like dangerous driving also carry prison sentences."

Matt Sweeting, Highways Agency Regional Performance Manager, said: "We take the safety of roadworkers very seriously and we are alarmed at this kind of behaviour.  It is only a minority of drivers but it only takes one incident to result in an injury or death. 

"No roadworker should have to do their job in the fear that a car is going to come speeding into their supposedly safe and sterile working area and we welcome Greater Manchester Police’s support."