SIEMENS in Poole is to maintain traffic management technology throughout Northern Ireland after winning one of the company’s biggest contracts of its kind.

Siemens will look after traffic signals at more than 1,200 sites as well as 950 Safer Routes to School signs.

It will also be responsible for a network of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and other vehicle-activated signs and rising bollards.

Siemens said the contract “represents one of the largest of its kind placed with Siemens as the main contractor”.

Roy Gordon, head of information technology services for the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, said: “Siemens is a well-established service provider in Northern Ireland and we already have an excellent working relationship with the company.

“The decision to select Siemens was based on a competitive combination of quality, cost, proven competence and capability.

“For the next four years, Siemens will provide a high level of service and support in terms of the effective delivery of the contract requirements and we are pleased to work with the company to deliver improved traffic signal and highway network performance.”

The main objectives of the contract are to maintain a high level of equipment availability and rectify faults within prescribed timescales.

There will also be routine inspections and lamp changes at required intervals.

Siemens makes its traffic management technology at Sopers Lane in Poole, where the former Plessey factory has been based for more than 50 years.