A new 24-hour radio station dedicated to traffic information has been launched by the Highways Agency.

Traffic Radio is a government-funded digital radio service which is available on DAB radios and via the internet.

Run by the Highways Agency, it gives drivers national and regional information about traffic conditions on motorways, dual carriage ways and major A roads, as well as information about emergency incidents and road works.

It is updated every 10 minutes at busy times such as morning and evening rush hours and bank holidays through information obtained from a range of sources. This includes 3,750 road sensors, 1,000 CCTV cameras and reports from traffic officers. Information is also given by the Highways Agency's regional control centre, the police and local highway authorities.

Transport minister Tom Harris said: “Traffic Radio will provide helpful information to enable people to make choices about their journey, whether they're driving for work, visiting relatives or going on holiday.

"Those with DAB radios in their cars will be able to make informed decisions about alternative routes, should conditions change when they are en route. And people with mobile internet access will be able to check the latest conditions when they take a break from their journeys.”

To tune in to the DAB service, users must press the "scan" button on their radio and scroll through until they reach Traffic Radio.