A pioneering multi-million pound scheme is set to ease traffic congestion in the centre of York, thisisyork has learned.

The city has been chosen by the Government to test out new "intelligent" traffic control systems that will revolutionise transport in the city.

Real-time messages will be relayed on to both variable message signs and the Internet, to give users live information on the state of the roads.

"This is a very exciting new scheme," said head of highways regulation at City of York Council Peter Evely.

"We will be able to identify problems and relay them to road users before they even leave home, and those on the road already can be offered alternative routes to avoid congested areas."

The council has received a grant of £388,000 from the Government to establish the necessary tools to set up the equipment, including both more variable signs and new personnel.

The final scheme will involve a £3.5m investment over five years by the council and has been described by Mr Evely as "cutting edge stuff".

Dr Mike Smith, head of mathematics at the University of York, has been taken on to work on the system - he is a world expert in the use of mathematical modelling for traffic control.

"This grant gives us the tools we need to bring in the system," said Mr Evely.

"We cannot change the roads in York. We have inherited the narrow streets and to change them would change the character of the city.

"This new system will be able to reduce congestion which has been highlighted as a number one priority in residents' surveys."

The council already operates six variable message "matrix" signs - which can show any text message including air quality warnings and diversions - and five more are in the pipeline.

The scheme is part of the council's Traffic Congestion Management System - which is detailed on the local transport plan.

As a designated "demonstrator project" along with Reading, Preston and Stratford-upon-Avon, York is being backed by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions to "encourage the development of new intelligent control systems to manage traffic in towns and cities".