CAMERAS are to be fitted to 'stop and go' signs used by workmen directing traffic at roadworks after reports of dangerous driving.

Oxfordshire County Council and contractor Skanska said the step had been taken to protect staff from being "seriously injured".

The local authority claimed "cases have been recorded where motorists have ignored the stop signs" over the past 18 months, but was not able to provide figures for how many times this had happened.

But David Nimmo Smith, county council cabinet member for transport, said: "The council takes staff safety and any abuse of its employees and subcontractors very seriously.

"Any actions that put road workers at risk will not be tolerated.

"All we ask is that people have consideration and understanding that they are just doing their jobs and abusive behaviour is not acceptable."

Skanska operations manager Richard Lovewell said one worker had been hit by a car that ignored a stop sign but he escaped with minor injuries.

The manager added: "It could have been a lot worse. There have also been incidents of motorists verbally abusing workers.

"These signs will work as an effective deterrent and encourage drivers to slow down and pay attention."

The new signs are made by Eurosigns and have wide-angle, high-resolution cameras, the county council said.

Last night the local authority was unable to say how much they would cost the taxpayer.