AA team steps in to take airshow role (From Basingstoke Gazette)

AA team steps in to take airshow role

9:06am Saturday 7th July 2012 in Business By Richard Garfield

VISITORS to this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, which takes place next week, will for the first time see the Basingstoke-based AA Event Assist team and not police officers performing traffic control duties.

The change follows the team’s recent recognition as part of Hamp-shire Constabulary’s Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS).

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.

In order to carry out their duties effectively the Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary has granted them two powers – the power to direct traffic, other than that of escorting a wide load, and to require a name and address, where an accredited person has reasonable cause to believe road traffic offences are being committed.

Mick Easom, CSAS manager based at the AA’s headquarters on Basing View, said: “We are delighted to become a Community Safety Accredi-ted company in Hampshire, and look forward to being part of the extended police family.

“We are pleased to be able to provide a service which enables the police to redirect their resources to their core duties in their local communities.

“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.”