TV pasting for cone phone
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• The Cones Hotline has been derided on peak-time television as "one of the worst cases of the Government wasting taxpayer's money".
In World in Action's programme "Citizen Cone" on Monday (21 November), it was estimated the hotline cost up to £150,000 in the past year—and resulted in the removal of just three sets of cones.
World in Action bases its estimate on 100 roadside signs advertising the scheme at £1,000 each, five staff at £9,000 each a year and £5,000 for a designated phoneline. WIA says since it was set up a year ago, the line has received fewer than 30 calls a day.
The Department of Transport executive agency responsible for administering the roads programme defends the hotline.
The Highways Agency says five sets of cones have been removed to date "showing the extent to which the cones were in place for legitimate reasons". The hotline also explains to road users why they are stuck in a jam, says the agency.