Talks over park and ride charges

Charges for park and ride schemes aimed at easing congestion in a city centre were being considered on Thursday.

Members of Durham County Council's cabinet were being asked to approve a charge of £1.70 a day, or £1.50 for season ticket holders.

Three park and ride sites are being built and are due to open later this year and early next year.

The aim is to keep long-stay traffic out of the centre and free up more short-term parking places.

The park and ride sites will be at Belmont near the A1(M) motorway interchange, Sniperley near the western approach and at Howlands Farm on the main route from the south.

They will provide 1,100 long-stay parking spaces and a fleet of new buses will run a regular service to the city centre.