Crossrail bosses believe the "rigorous" safety standards imposed on HGVs working on the new London-based rail network are helping to protect road users elsewhere in the UK.

Any truck that is involved in the project must be fitted with sophisticated safety equipment and more than 4,700 professional drivers have completed Crossrail's one-day intensive driver course.

Those in charge of delivering the revolutionary rail infrastructure insist the improved standards will lead to "widespread change" in the UK haulage industry, as the same lorries are delivering goods to other parts of the country too.

There has been a lot of talk about the high number of collisions involving cyclists and HGVs and it is hoped this new equipment will safeguard vulnerable road users. The EU has also launched a new lorry design, which it says will lessen the impact of crashes.

Crossrail chief executive Andrew Wolstenholme said the haulage and construction industry has invested millions in new safety systems in order to meet the company's requirements.

"The impact of this initiative is clearly demonstrated by organisations in both the private and public sectors now adopting these important safety standards," he remarked.