POLICE have taken to the road for the first time as part of the new A12 Alliance Patrol.

The team of 18 officers was unveiled on Tuesday, as the first stage in a series of proposals to clear congestion on the A12.

Split into three shifts, made up of one sergeant and five officers, the team will patrol the busy trunk road – which runs for 45 miles north from Brook Street in Brentwood – for 18 hours a day in a bid to keep the road moving.

The A12 patrols were one of the recommendations of Essex County Council’s A12 inquiry, which called for funding to create an emergency service to deal with congestion on the route.

The new patrols are being funded by an initial grant of £1.5million from Essex County Council. It is believed to be the first scheme in the country where a local authority has paid for a police road patrol.

Derek Benson, assistant chief constable of Essex Police, said: “The A12 patrols will operate 365 days a year, seven days a week from 6am until midnight, ensuring the road is as clear and safe as possible.

“The officers operating the unit will focus on clearing incidents, but will also work to prevent them by continuing everyday police activities, clamping down on driving offences such as speeding, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and driving while using a mobile telephone.”

He added: “Essex Police is the first force in the country to operate such a unique patrol scheme on one of the county’s main roads.

“Essex Police has worked hard, with other agencies, to ensure this initiative was delivered at the earliest opportunity and I now look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have.”

The patrols are designed to not only keep the county moving, but also to ensure there are always officers on hand to clear up swiftly after crashes.

Lord Hanningfield, leader of Essex County Council, added: “These patrols are a direct result of our A12 inquiry last year which brought agencies, national and local together, to find solutions to the problem of congestion on the A12.

“Our residents tell us they are fed up with delays on the A12 and they are holding our economy back.”