AA to send breakdown help on scooters

Congestion in big UK cities such as London, Glasgow and Bristol has forced the AA to adopt some unorthodox methods to help speed up the gridlock caused by breakdowns, the Evening Times reports.

The AA will start to send out patrolmen on scooters and motor bikes after it was revealed that motorists could cover only ten miles in one hour in London's city centre, and only an average of 18 miles per hour through Glasgow.

By adopting the new scheme, which is to be given a three month trial in London, it is hoped that the AA will be able to respond to breakdown 25 per cent more quickly.

If it is a success, the initiative could be rolled out in big cities across Britain.

Sue Beeson, a spokesperson for the AA, told the Evening Times that the organisation used scooters 15 years ago.

"This is a long-term significant investment. The roadside technicians love the idea," she said.

Controversial congestion charges have been levied in London to help ease gridlock in the capital, and they remain one of the major issues in the upcoming mayoral elections.