UK Business Briefs: flood monitoring, car-pool website and water maintenance

The Environment Agency has awarded a £1.6 million contract to software firm Servelec Ltd to update its river monitoring communications system. The Agency hopes the new web technology will provide more rapid, accurate and detailed information from the 500 telemetry outstations across the South West supplying river level, flow and rain gauge data to the Agency’s offices. The technology should improve flood and drought forecasting and pollution monitoring.

West Berkshire Council is also harnessing web technology to reduce local traffic congestion and promote green transport. The Council has opted for

NetFM’s TrafficMediator service to promote car sharing amongst council workers. TrafficMediator matches car sharers with appropriate passengers through a real-time website which alerts parties by email or text message when a suitable journey is found.

Yorkshire Water is beginning work on a £2.2 million scheme to reline and replace water mains pipes in Harrogate. The project, covering 50km of underground mains, will be completed by the end of 2003. The company is holding a customer forum on November 6 to answer questions about the proposed improvement work.