Within our industry we often talk about capacity and road safety but don’t always consider the work that takes place to keep our highways secure and uninviting for those who may be trying to cause us harm.
On Thursday 23 February Ben Chimes from our Woking office visited Connect Plus Services’ Control Centre at its Dartford depot in Kent.
Since 2009, Connect Plus Services (CPS) has been responsible for providing highway network and asset operation & maintenance on the M25 and associated primary radial routes, linking central London with the rest of the UK.
The event, one of four arranged for the Charted Institute of Highways and Transport (CIHT), included a presentation by CPS’ dedicated security team, detailing their efforts to protect the M25 Network from terrorism, theft, illegal fly-tipping and many other adversities blighting the motorway.
The presentation was followed by a visit to the recently opened Network Security Centre - a state of the art control room comprising CCTV, ANPR and access control systems, from where all CPS’ sites are monitored remotely.
It was a great opportunity to learn more about the ongoing work keeping the M25 network safe from threat and the collaboration between Connect Plus Services, Highways England, Police and other agencies to maintain a safe and reliable highway around the capital.
The challenges faced by the network were made all the more apparent by the closure of the QEII bridge due to high winds with gusts of up to 70mph caused by storm Doris on the day of the visit.
More information about Connect Plus Services can be found at: www.connectplusservices.co.uk
Twitter: @CPServices_M25
