CONGESTION chaos could be eased from July when a new contract set to improve the maintenance of the current traffic signal and 'intelligent transport systems' (ITS) begins.

On Tuesday evening at the Town Hall the executive board unanimously backed a recommendation to award the contract to the selected tenderer.

The previous arrangement started in August 2010 and lasted for five years but the council is currently operating under a temporary agreement with the same terms and conditions as in the original one.

A tender process was carried out to appoint a 'suitably qualified and experienced' contractor for the maintenance of traffic signals, associated traffic control equipment and ITS throughout the borough.

The equipment the contractor will maintain includes 153 traffic signals, 25 car park variable message signs, six vehicle actuated signs, swing bridge warning signs, 18 CCTV and associate in-station systems, the urban traffic control system, common database and remote monitoring system.

The equipment and systems are currently maintained under 'several contracts and service level agreements'.

But the authority wants to combine them in order to 'streamline' efficiency and reduce costs.

Based on a financial review of 2014-15 the council spent a total of £189,653 on the network in place.

Cllr Hans Mundry, executive board member for highways, transportation and public realm, believes the town will reap the benefits from the executive's board decision.

He said: "We are trying to fetch contracts together to have one provider and are hoping to get a better quality service, which should be slightly cheaper.

"The price is important but not as important as the quality of the service."

In his report to members he stated an 'efficient and safe transport system is essential for economic growth' across the borough.

"Local highway authorities have a responsibility to keep the roads clear and traffic moving," he added.

"Through the best use of technology, ITS assist with providing a safer network for all users, helps reduce congestion and delays and ensures the transport network is as free-flowing as possible.

"By reducing congesting ITS also help to produce a more sustainable environmental network by reducing fuel consumption and lowering carbon emissions.

"Ensuring that all equipment and systems are maintained properly and are in a safe condition is an essential part to achieving these efficiencies."

The tender process was conducted in accordance with the 'competitive procedure with negotiation' regulations.

Ten organisations viewed the pre-qualification questionnaire and three were completed and returned before each organisation was invited to submit their tenders by December 18.

One organisation declined to submit a tender prior to the evaluation process where the new tenderer was subsequently selected.

The contractor, the name of which has not yet been revealed, will be operating for the council from July 1 to June 2021.

Financial elements of the move were discussed behind closed doors in part two of the meeting.