Violence and verbal abuse against people working on our roads is being highlighted in a new campaign starting today [Monday 11 March].
The first Respect our Workforce Week runs from 11 - 15 March. It is
organised by campaign group Stamp it Out [2] and is supported by
Oxfordshire County Council, its highways contractor Milestone and has
the backing of Thames Valley Police.
The past decade has seen a rise in reported incidents, with a minority
of motorists or residents taking their frustration out on roadworkers
over delays as improvements are made to the network.
In Oxfordshire, some workers have been confronted with a knife, racially
abused, physically manhandled and even threatened with shooting.
Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member
for Transport Management, said: “It is completely unacceptable for
people to act in this way against those who are working in dangerous
locations in all sorts of weather conditions to improve the condition of
our roads.
“I was shocked to learn that 70 per cent of roadworkers are the victim
of verbal or physical abuse every month, while half say they have been
verbally abused in the last seven days. That’s why we are supporting
the Respect our Workforce campaign and urge everyone to treat those
working on our roads with common courtesy.”
Milestone has formed a roadworker safety group as part of its commitment
to ensuring the health and safety of everyone working on the highways
and created an app for employees to report verbal threats or assault.
Jim Daughton, Milestone Operations Director, said: “No one should face
abuse simply for doing their job. At Milestone we are committed to
ensuring the safety of everyone on the road network – and that
includes our staff.
“Our teams are now equipped with body worn cameras and site CCTV is in
place, where necessary. The message today is clear: abuse to highways
operatives will not be tolerated.”
Kevin Robinson, Founder and Campaign Director of Stamp It Out, said:
“Respect our Workforce Week marks a vital point in this campaign. It
is not acceptable to abuse a doctor, nurse, teacher, or retailer worker,
so why should those working on the public highway accept this too?”
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