satellite buses that are never held up by a red light may be introduced in the North-East.

The buses would be fitted with sensors which tell traffic lights they are approaching, holding up other traffic at junctions and roundabouts until they pass.

Satellites checking where buses are in the Sunderland area - where the scheme might be trialled - would be able to unblock their way ahead.

Transport chiefs revealed the initiative for the buses as the draft Tyne and Wear Transport Plan was outlined to councillors.

Due to be handed to the Government at the end of the month, it includes references to Sunderland's new bridge and a second Tyne Tunnel.

As part of plans to cut congestion in the region, Keith Atkinson, of Sunderland City Council's development and regeneration department, was asked if the futuristic buses were a possibility.

He told the council's environment and community services review committee: "It's mainly controlling traffic by means of controlling traffic signals. You can change everything at that junction to set what the terms are for traffic flows.

"There's certainly opportunity to introduce selective vehicle protection - there's a bus coming, give me more green time to let a bus through.

"Also, the routes of buses can be tracked by satellite, so we know exactly where they are.

"Congestion in Sunderland, I have to say, is not a huge issue. It's not as bad as London and it's not as bad as Leeds.

"But it is here and will get worse. The approach suggested is a corridor approach, looking mainly at radial routes such as Durham Road and Chester Road."