Public Servant Lifestyle

Lakeland lad Gerry Wilkinson - from Kendal in Northern England's Lake District - has driven thousands of miles as a ‘saint’ of the roads - and is now going back 'T.O.' the future! The paramedic-turned-ambulance-chief is now back on the roads in his new post – and back at home in his native Cumbria.

Gerald began his career in the ambulance service in 1973 at Kendal Westmorland but retired as director of operations right at the top as head of Hampshire Ambulance Service in 2003. But now he is back in Cumbria as one of the Highways Agency’s (HA) new Traffic Officers (TOs).

Pictured (right and below) Gerry Wilkinson takes to the road once more as one of the Highways Agency's Traffic Officers.

Cumbria

In a brand new service launched to Cumbria in June, Gerald is finding a new lease of life as a member of the Highways Agency’s dedicated patrols operating along the M6 in the county. Alongside other TOs based at the purpose-built Millness ‘outstation’ south east of Kendal, Gerald’s job is to help provide assistance to motorists and police in keeping the roads clear of congestion and safety hazards.

The Millness service is part of a £14.6m North West TO operation run from a purpose-built, hi-tech Regional Control Centre further south along the M6 at Newton-le-Willows in Merseyside. And for 61-year-old Gerry, whose wife Jo-Anne runs the popular The Hill B and B at Ings near Kendal, it is something of a ‘busman’s holiday’. Before rising to the top in Hampshire, Gerry worked at Kendal, Penrith and Carlisle as an ambulance officer. He also worked in South Yorkshire before heading to Hampshire where he completed his 30-year career.

Like many of the Traffic Officers now serving in Cumbria, Gerry is a real local lad. One of 13 brothers and sisters, he attended Kendal Boys Modern School before joining the ambulance service. And Gerry - who lists gardening, parachuting and fell walking amongst his diverse interests - is delighted to be back home.

Thrilled

He said: “I am thrilled to be part of this exciting new service helping local people on the M6 in Cumbria as well as visitors and other travellers to our area.”

Gerry is also confident Cumbrians will take to the new Traffic Officers. He added: “As an evolving service I am impressed by the way staff are kept involved and are able to become involved in the development of the service.

“Most if not all of the Traffic Officers based at Millness are local people or live in Cumbria. We know the local road network and we know the variety of driving conditions the location can throw at drivers. We are all looking forward to making a real difference to travellers’ journeys along the M6 through Cumbria.”

Steve Williams, Director of Human Resources for the Highways Agency, said, “We are delighted to have people with Gerry’s experience coming into the Traffic Officer Service. The diversity of our officers and the different skills people are bringing onboard is one of its strengths. The Traffic Officer Service aims to recruit people from all walks of life and that includes older people like Gerry whose experience is invaluable.”

The Highways Agency (HA) is an executive agency of the Department for Transport (DfT).

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