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'Squealing' traffic cones formally unveiled on M6 'Screaming' motorway traffic cones used on M6
(34 minutes later)
"Intelligent" traffic cones, which squeal when moved, are being unveiled on the M6 in the West Midlands. "Screaming" traffic cones are being used on the M6 in the West Midlands.
The cones are similar to regular ones but have a yellow top and look like a lighthouse, the Highways Agency said. The cones are fitted with an alarm that "will literally scream" when the cone is struck, the Highways Agency said.
The in-built alarm "will literally scream" when the cone is struck, alerting workers to the possible danger of a vehicle coming too close to them. The yellow-topped, "lighthouse" style wailers alert road workers to the danger of vehicles coming too close.
Eight road workers have been killed in the last three years while improving and maintaining England's road network. The agency said they will mainly be used on motorways, meaning students or other traditional cone nemeses are likely to be kept at bay.
The cones will be officially unveiled later near Perry Barr. The cones were unveiled by the agency near Perry Barr in Birmingham.
The new style cone was first used about six months ago and will be rolled out further following its formal launch, the agency said. "We will only use them at certain localities, such as motorways or critical road works," a spokesman said.
"At times, your protection is a plastic cone and your faith in the ability of the person at the wheel of that lorry to keep it in lane," a Highways Agency spokesman said. "We wouldn't expect people to be able to get close to them.
"Local authorities may use them for pothole repairs or similar, but they are still being rolled out."
'Crew alarms'
A spokesman from manufacturers Intellicone said "an ordinary orange cone lantern" is placed on a red and white cone and when they are struck it is picked up by a yellow "portable site alarm" sensor.
This transmits to "crew alarms" where road workers are operating to alert them to the potential danger.
The firm said there can be an unlimited number of alarms and they can transmit "as far as you like".
The agency said eight workers have been killed in the last three years while maintaining England's road network.
"At times, your protection is a plastic cone and your faith in the ability of the person at the wheel to keep it in lane," a Highways Agency spokesman said.
"Where roadworks have narrow lanes they are 3.25 metres wide. An HGV is typically up to 2.5m wide."Where roadworks have narrow lanes they are 3.25 metres wide. An HGV is typically up to 2.5m wide.
"That's less than 40cm spare either side - about the width of the computer screen you're reading this on.""That's less than 40cm spare either side - about the width of the computer screen you're reading this on."