The 16-tonne mobile barriers are being used by Kier in the West Midlands after being brought over from the USA.

If struck from the side, the barriers absorb the impact from a moving vehicle while a lorry-mounted crash cushion gives further protection at the rear.

The mobile barriers act as a physical protection for both road workers and motorists.

As well as improving safety, the roadworks themselves take less time to complete as fewer cones and signs have to be put out.

Martin Bolt, who is heading up the innovation projects for Highways England, said: “The mobile barriers, which are being used for the first time in Europe, are an innovative way of looking at how we can increase protection for road workers.

“And they’re helping customers too, because the faster we can get the work safely done the better people’s journeys will be.”

Dave Wright, executive director for Kier Highways, added: “As a company we’re committed to working with our partners to ensure we continuously develop technology that improves safety on the road for both road workers and users.

“We’re hugely passionate about this, and our improvements team is constantly looking at ways to innovate and pioneer new products that go towards this aim.

“Our main priority is to make sure everyone gets home safely at the end of the day and we look forward to expanding mobile barrier across our other UK contracts.”