Road workers' children feature in safety campaign

The children of Cumberland Council highways workers are taking part in a new safety campaign

Photos of council staff and their children are to be displayed near roadworks after workers were subjected to "abuse" from drivers.

The road safety campaign aims to stop people speeding through roadworks or from trying to drive past road closed signs in parts of Cumbria.

Cumberland Council's Denise Rollo, executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said some members of the public "challenge road closures" and attempt to breach them.

The new signs are being displayed to remind people that workers have homes to go to with loved ones.

Ms Rollo added: “Our ultimate goal is to create a safer working environment for those who tirelessly serve our community."

She said the behaviour of some drivers disrupted the work of staff doing their jobs and also created "an unwarranted risk to their safety".

The photos will feature on signs next to roadworks encouraging drivers to take care on the roads

The council said it would also give staff bodycams to wear and will increase the amount of CCTV cameras on the highways to capture evidence of abuse.

It added that vehicles passing through a road closure were not normally covered by the owners' insurance.