A new vehicle has been developed by Highways England and Mott MacDonald to help replace overhead signs to reduce the duration of roadworks.

The vehicle is based on the design of an aircraft catering vehicle that is used to load refreshments into aeroplanes using a hydraulic scissor lift.

Use of the new maintenance assistance vehicle (MAV) will enable the road authority to close fewer lanes.

"Safety is our top priority and we believe no one should be harmed when travelling or working on our network."

It has been trialled successfully on roads.

Usually, a flat-bed truck, crane and cherry picker are used to pull down and install the signs, a process that takes up to 40 minutes. However the MAV can do this in around 20 to 25 minutes with the use a small jib crane, which forms part of the vehicle.

The system offers a safer environment for road workers while they work inside the vehicle and a sturdy platform while they work outside it.

Currently, Highways England is exploring ways way for its contractors to purchase the machines.

It is estimated that if the device is widely adopted it could save up to £4m annually.

Highways England head of health and safety Jeremy Bird said: "Safety is our top priority and we believe no one should be harmed when travelling or working on our network.

"Technology has an important role in improving road worker and road user safety and this concept provides an opportunity to not only do this but at the same time reduce disruption on our roads by completing gantry maintenance in less time, and reducing the number of lanes closed to carry out such a task."