TRAFFIC police are to get reinforcements to help control Cornwall’s packed tourist season routes.

Highways England will be extending traffic officer patrols into Cornwall for the first time this weekend.

Over the Easter holiday period and the summer months, Highways England officers will patrol parts of the A30 in Cornwall.

Highways England already works with Devon and Cornwall Police and forms part of a partnership in terms of safety and severe weather handling.

Patrolling the A30 is a trial initiative to support Devon and Cornwall Police and help address the volume of traffic and related incidents.

Traffic officers help drivers in difficulty, co-ordinate the emergency services, manage traffic to reduce congestion and clear debris from the carriageways.

Based at Bodmin police station and Cornwall Council’s Castle Canyke depot during the peak holiday months, they will now provide assistance along the A30, and A38.