EAST Riding of Yorkshire Council has installed vehicle location and tracking systems across most if its fleet. Hull-based mobile communications expert Radphone has put the system in 346 vehicles out of the 384-strong fleet, including a two-way radio to aid communication with staff.

Andy Mays, the council's principal systems development and information services officer, said: 'Our new vehicle location and communication system replaces an outdated piecemeal one which led to more of our employees using phones to keep in touch.

'Costs were escalating. Our aim was to find a communications solution for our entire fleet of vehicles, which includes vans used by our building and maintenance unit.'

The system that has been installed allows real-time tracking of vehicles throughout the working day, while information can be stored on computer for future reference.

Mays said: 'Before the system was installed, if there was a call-out, we would have had to ring each of our plumbing teams to find out which was closest.

'Now, looking at a computer screen, we can pinpoint the nearest building maintenance vehicle to the house in question, make a quick call and the plumber can attend the emergency as quickly as possible.'

Radphone is based in Hull and also has offices in Gateshead and Sheffield.