It would seem the self proclaimed "fourth emergency service" have acquired a new direction ( if you'll pardon the pun ) albeit a route that suggests trouble ahead.

BBC News - Open Championship Lytham: AA takes over traffic from police (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-18908366)

Once the AA have demonstrated some idea of proof of concept, then it's only a matter of time before brain dead central, aka the Highways Agency, suddenly find themselves with, er, "new powers".

The only saving grace is that, for the moment at least, G4S are not involved...

The only saving grace is that, for the moment at least, G4S are not involved...

Yet..............

you didn't spot the fact that they were handling the Farnborough traffic this year?
Hampshire Constabulary - The AA to assist Hampshire Constabulary with traffic management during Farnborough International Airshow (http://www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/news-and-appeals/2012/june/AA-assist-hampshire-constabulary-farnborough-airshow)

I'm sorry but why is this being treated as a major news item by the BBC? It's of extremely minor importance.