Suffolk's St Edmundsbury Borough Council has created a joint committee with neighbouring Forest Heath District Council to work on route optimisation for its refuse and cleansing trucks.

Quartix telematics has assisted with the routeing and scheduling project, enabling both councils to remap and fine tune the new collection routes.

As well as reducing mileage and fuel usage, the new routes – introduced in July - aim to release capacity and protect the two councils from the impact of future housing growth for more years than would otherwise have been the case. St Edmundsbury Council's 18 refuse trucks account for just 16% of its fleet, but 80% of its fuel use. The potential savings are immense, says the council.

With councils across the country facing steep budget cuts, Quartix – one of the most respected telematics providers - has seen increasing demand from the public sector.

In March, the company completed a major contract for Carmathenshire County Council, enabling the council's building services department to run its 86 vehicle mixed fleet more efficiently and economically. In July, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust expanded its contract, procuring Quartix tracking for health courier vehicles in the north of its region. Andy Kirk, Quartix sales and marketing director, said: "The main reason we are seeing so much interest from the public sector is quite straightforward – telematics saves money, and a great deal of it.

"For example, as much as £2,000 per vehicle, per year is routinely achieved by many of our clients, plus improved productivity and efficiency. "Faced with severe budget cuts, telematics is something managers can rely on to reduce costs."