Date fixed for country’s first city centre charging scheme

Durham County Council has fixed the date for the introduction of the country's first city centre access charging scheme.

From Tuesday October 1, road users entering the historic heart of Durham City via the Market Place will have to pay £2 a time. The access charging scheme aims to reduce the flow of traffic through the town's narrow streets by more than half.

But the Council has promised to take a 'softly softly' approach while the scheme beds-in and everyone becomes accustomed to it. During the first six months a member of staff will be present at the pay machine to help drivers with any difficulties they may have.

Around 3,000 vehicles a day use the sole access road onto the city centre peninsula which houses Durham Cathedral and Castle together with businesses, a school, parts of Durham University and a small number of private homes.

However, the same road, which is only wide enough for one vehicle at a time, is also used by around 13,000 pedestrians a day – a figure that rises to 17,000 on a Saturday. Conflict between vehicles and pedestrians can cause traffic congestion and road safety hazards.

From October 1 all vehicles - other than those exempted - will pay £2 on exiting the peninsula between 10am-4pm, Monday to Saturday. A rising bollard linked to a payment/ticketing machine will control the procedure. The machine in turn will be monitored by cctv and linked to an intercom system.

Income from the scheme will help finance the operation of a new, high quality shuttle bus service linking the town's main car parks, bus and railway stations with the peninsula and will also help subsidise the existing Shopmobility project for disabled persons.

Further information about this initiative can be obtained from Fraser Davie,
tel: (0191) 386 441.