Emergency services and Highways England to speed up responses to incidents on roads

The move cements the collaboration between the services and sets out clear roles to enable more "efficiency" and to help keep drivers moving.

It has been signed by West Midlands Ambulance Service, West Mercia Police, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and a host of other services.

David Yates, Highways England service delivery manager, said: "Any incidents on the network can cause widespread disruption and we all want to manage the situation as efficiently as possible and get traffic moving again.

"With so many organisations often on scene, good collaboration and communication is essential. These agreed protocols ensure our roles are set out beforehand and better enable us to deal with incidents smoothly, swiftly and effectively.

"All of the partner organisations have been working together for some time on this agreement and we are delighted that it has now been agreed and signed by all concerned."

The agreement – also signed by Highways England maintenance contractor Keir – is "essential" when dealing with incidents, with arrangements for coordinating the individual organisations already in place.

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "By the nature of our job, the quicker we can get to patients in distress and begin treating them, particularly when seriously injured, the better.

"Therefore, we very much welcome this new agreement and will be working with Highways England colleagues and other emergency services to help provide the very best level of care possible whenever a road traffic collision takes place."

The agreement covers the roles and responsibilities of each service, consistency of approach, information sharing, and incorporates the procedures in the National Operating Agreement for smart motorways.

Area Commander Steve Vincent, of West Midlands Fire Service, said: "Our aim is to get to all serious incidents within five minutes, by signing this agreement we can work even more closely with Highways England and our emergency service partners to continue to provide a first-class service. It will also enable our crews to work more safely, assertively and effectively at incidents to help save lives."

The agreement has been signed by: Highways England; Warwickshire Police; West Mercia Police; Central Motorway Police Group; Kier; West Midlands Ambulance Service; Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service; Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service; Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service; West Midlands Fire Service; Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue, Rob Barber, said: "As an organisation we deal with a lot of road-related incidents and as such we are always determined to ensure we can carry out our duties with minimal disruption.

"This agreement will ensure a safer road network for Staffordshire and allows us to work better with our partner organisations."

Inspector Sion Hathaway, from the Central Motorway Police Group, said he was "really happy" the agreement was in place which will allow them to continue to keep the region's roads safe.

Inspector Lloyd Cresswell, from West Mercia Police, said: "I’m extremely pleased to see all appropriate agencies signing this agreement. It outlines the roles and responsibilities for partner agencies dealing with spontaneous incidents on the region’s strategic road network; thereby maximising the safety of those involved.

"It will help to minimise the impact felt by the public as a result of road closures and greatly assists West Mercia’s vision of protecting people from harm."