Launched in 1997, the UTMC (Urban Traffic Management and Control) programme is the UK Department for Transport’s main initiative for improving transport in urban areas. The programme’s Tyne and Wear operations began in June 2011. With a total of four staff members working in the control room located at Newcastle University, it functions as the main traffic management facility in the area and was tasked with resolving ongoing and increasing traffic management issues in the Tyneside area. One particular area of concern was around the Gateshead Metro Centre – one of the largest indoor shopping centres in Europe.