anyone miss them when they (most likely) go in 2012?
I never knew they were going.
Probably another european ruling Harry!
We’re probably having to spend millions on something else that won’t work and we’ll be the only one’s stupid enough to do it yet again! Anyone else had enough of this tosh yet??
Looking at their budget, they spend a lot of money baby sitting broken down cars waiting for the AA. After the Olympics, can’t see the need for them…
the ones i have met are decent people, but they’re doing a very pointless job.
I didnt know they were being axed either, but how about this for an idea.
A motorist has to have 3rd party insurance and road tax based on the emissions at the moment. Most delays on motorways are due to silly breakdowns and fuel shortages rather than life or death situations which involve the police anyway.
So here is the Eureka moment. The road tax is put on fuel, the fuel companies pay the amalgamated AA & RAC service to patrol our roads. The costs of roadside repairs is passed to the motor insurers like if a window was broken in your home or you spilt wine in the microwave. Household insurance would cover it. In this case the Motor Insurers would pay for a new fan belt, a new wheel bearing and the HATO retrained to be of use as patrolmens mates, with a smile, a box of spare fuses bulbs and spanners. Remove the PC lookalike uniforms and give them some brightly coloured boiler suits. 
Nurse, the drip please…
cheesey:
anyone miss them when they (most likely) go in 2012?
If they were to go then yes.
If you have ever been stranded on the shoulder of a motorway, had a family member in that situation or have family members whose work takes them onto the shoulder then you will appreciate what they do and could only answer yes.
HATO’s don’t make the lanes or hard shoulders safe. ISU ( Incident Support Units ) do.
Not being political, I was just making the point that governments have spent 360+ millions on a service that sounds good on paper that never lived up to expectations.
cheesey:
HATO’s don’t make the lanes or hard shoulders safe. ISU ( Incident Support Units ) do.
Not being political, I was just making the point that governments have spent 360+ millions on a service that sounds good on paper that never lived up to expectations.
Ah but which Government■■? 
cheesey:
HATO’s don’t make the lanes or hard shoulders safe. ISU ( Incident Support Units ) do.
It was HATO’s who on two occasions coned off lane 1 for me and who have on several occasions have done the same sort of thing to make it safer for my sons when they have been recovering vehicles from the shoulder.
I can’t find anything to suggest they are earmarked for closure, has anyone got a link?
The only experience i’ve had with them was when i did the gear box on my truck on the M25, and not one of the gits stopped to ask me what was wrong for over 4 hours, despite me pulling a tanker.
Then when they did stop, the only advice they gave me was to stay out of the truck and stand behind a barrier while it was freezing cold and ■■■■■■■ with snow
Harry Monk:
I can’t find anything to suggest they are earmarked for closure, has anyone got a link?
No mention on their unofficial forums Harry, but there are some fit women on the HATO dating site
cheesey:
anyone miss them when they (most likely) go in 2012?
“(TOS) ers”, you are making it a wee bit personal, are you sure your issue is not with people in the position of authority?
HATOs do an excellent job in all weathers and will reassure all types of road users doing everything in their power to make sure they are safe and sound. That ranges from routine broken down vehicles on the HS to being first at scene at incidents. Usually involving people that are trapped with serious horrific injuries they have to make the scene safe and stabilise the casualty till an ambulance crew shows up to take over.
You mention the Highways Agency ISUs contractors, they cost the HA much more money per year than the Traffic officers and do not have any powers to place out emergency traffic management unless a Police officer or HA Traffic officer is on scene with them. In addition to that Traffic officers are exempt from motorway regulations ISUs are not they are purely there to support Traffic officers and Police.
Got news for you mate, with most motorway, APTR incidents cleared now within 45mins and a massive reduction in serious and fatal accidents since they started.They are here to stay, I don’t know where you got 2012 from? They have funding for at lease the next 4 years.
Your post sounds like a random attact on TOs
Why does every lorry with the flashing keep left/right signs on have to have at least 2 men in the cab? Is it to keep the driver company while they watch about 5 men watch 1 man pull ragwort?
I have had three encounters with HATO, all when I have had punctures and all positive. I said I needed lane 1 coned off and thy coned it off. In the past I have had a very nasty argument with the Police when they refused to cone off the lane which resulted in the tyre fitter telling them “Well I ain’t [zb] doing then!” and jumping back into his van and driving off leaving me still stranded so I am all in favour of them.
C-Kay:
The only experience i’ve had with them was when i did the gear box on my truck on the M25, and not one of the gits stopped to ask me what was wrong for over 4 hours, despite me pulling a tanker.
did you ring them up, and explain your predicament??
Give them a transit, stick amey on the side and they’d do the same job. Plus when they are no busy they pick up litter. Your scottish brethren have the right idea 
merc0447:
Give them a transit, stick amey on the side and they’d do the same job. Plus when they are no busy they pick up litter. Your scottish brethren have the right idea
Scottish motorways are not as many or congested like English ones. That is why you have Amey Highways/Bear working on behalf of the Scottish executive supporting Scottish Police forces clearing incidents scenes the same rules apply they cannot put in emergency lane closures,RRBs, roads closures or direct/regulate traffic without Police being on scene with them. This cost money and tie’s up Police(The Polis) from doing what they should be doing.(jailing rangers supporters 
)
I know the amey guys up there, good bunch.
My three encounters with HATO have also been positive with the Traffic Officers being helpful and professional so I really hope that they aren’t ditched in 2012. As far as I’m concerned they do a good job, sometimes under difficult and traumatic circumstances, and do their best to keep the MWays flowing after some drivers have messed up 
These days I think there are more tossers employed as C+E drivers than there are employed as HATO’s But that is just an observational opinion 
Regards
Dave Penn;