THE Mitsubishi Shogun has been chosen by the Highways Agency as one of only two approved vehicles to partner its new force of highly trained Traffic Officers as they start their new duties patrolling England's motorways. Initially to be seen in the West Midlands, the whole of England's motorway network is expected to have Traffic Officers by the end of 2005.

An initial order of 11 Mitsubishi Shoguns has been converted to the Highways Agency's specifications and kitted out in the new distinctive official livery. The vehicles have been used for an intensive training programme for the 50 newly recruited Traffic Officers and have been a major part of the Highways Agency's high-profile promotional campaign for the new initiative. The Shoguns are now out on the roads in full operational use as the scheme starts to be rolled-out.

With around 1,200 Traffic Officers to be recruited in total, with an estimated additional 150-vehicle requirement, Mitsubishi Motors UK expects to supply more Shoguns to the Highways Agency as the scheme expands across England.