A PIONEERING scheme to tackle town centre congestion has been launched in Maidstone.

The county town is the first in the county to try out the hi-tech revolution for tackling traffic problems.

A new traffic command centre has been opened in Maidstone this week – the first step towards Kent County Council’s target of cutting congestion in the town by 10 per cent.

The command centre is based on the 10th floor of Miller House in Lower Stone Street and was opened by KCC leader Paul Carter.

It comprises two giant flat screens which allow operatives to track exactly where the jams are building up in the town.

The screens are linked to a computer system which logs traffic, alters traffic-light timings as appropriate and gives advance travel information online.

Information to feed the computers is gathered via CCTV, road sensors and satellite tracking, and when the centre goes fully operational next spring, interactive signs will tell drivers where hot spots are to be avoided as the jams build up.

Cllr Carter (Con ) said: “Everyone hates being stuck in a traffic jam. KCC is taking action to do something about it. We want to keep traffic moving, especially in our main town centres.

“We have given a firm commitment in KCC’s Towards 2010 strategy to cut congestion by at least 10 per cent using the latest hi-tech equipment. This is the first step towards achieving our aim.”