New technology being used by Essex Police is reducing the time a road needs to be closed after a serious traffic collision.

The GPS satellite enabled equipment, provided by the Highways Agency, means police officers can make a virtual map of an accident scene much quicker. It also helps them to gather vital evidence and get motorists back on the move sooner.

In one case on the M11 near Harlow recently, Essex Police's collision investigation team were able to survey a scene in 10 minutes while Highways Agency traffic officers used a rolling road block to temporarily stop traffic.

This saved around two hours because previously a full road closure would have to be put in place to allow the police to set their equipment up to gather evidence.