In 1998, we purchased a silver Vauxhall Vectra which had a built-in Trafficmaster, which advised of road conditions ahead. This was especially effective on motorways as it stayed in “Automatic Mode” at all times and was there to warn us of delays from two junctions ahead. We were so pleased with this feature that, when we sold the Vectra, we bought a stand alone Freeway Trafficmaster at a cost of some £75 including a year’s subscription.

It is a small box about three inches square and takes four AA batteries, which last over a year. The box fits neatly into such as the coin box on the fascia or similar, and does not seem to need to be mounted prominently. We have subsequently renewed it at a cost of some £52 for each two years. It typically advises of the nature of the delay “slow traffic/very slow traffic/stationary traffic” as well as the expected length of delay – everything from five minutes to “severe delay – avoid!” On the other hand, it gives a satisfying “beep” when traffic is flowing freely.

Upon renewing this January, as the second year of my prepaid two years, I was advised that I could only renew until June 30 2012 when the service would cease. I protested very strongly about this and was subsequently phoned by the MD who said that the service made a loss as there were only 1600 members.