Type of Scheme
- Cordon-based pricing scheme where drivers must pay to enter a fixed zone.
Date of Introduction
Background
- The Durham Road User Charge is designed to resolve the conflict between vehicles and pedestrians when accessing the historic city centre and the approach to Durham's cathedral and castle.
- Following the UK Government's legal provision for local authorities to introduce congestion charging (Transport Act 2000), Durham County Council was the first authority in the country to implement a charging scheme.
Aims
- Improve pedestrian safety.
- Improve access for the disabled.
- Enhance a World Heritage site.
- Sustain the viability of this part of the city centre.
How it Works
Charges:
- Access to the historic World Heritage site can be achieved by a single road subject to a charge of £2.
- The road gains access to the Market Place, Cathedral, and castle. It serves access to the Cathedral Chorister School and some Durham University colleges.
- .The charge is payable between 10.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Saturday
- Drivers must pay the charge on exit.
- Entrance and exit from the area is free at all other times.
Exemptions
- Residents, students, public transport vehicles, security and postal vehicles, emergency services and disabled drivers are all exempt from the charge.
Technology:
- Drivers exiting area must stop in front of red traffic indicator located alongside the payment machine.
- Following successful transaction, the bollard will lower and, only when fully retracted, the traffic signal will change to green and the driver can proceed safely.
Enforcement:
- Drivers who fail to meet the charge will be permitted to proceed through the bollard system. However, a £30 charge notice is issued to vehicle owner.
- Vehicles will be recorded on the CCTV system and owners traced through the DVLA.
- Drivers attempting to avoid the charge through driving out of the uncontrolled entrance will commit a traffic offence.
- This is monitored by the CCTV system and appropriate action will be taken against them.
Sadler Street, Durham (inside Heritage site)
Revenue
- Revenues are used to support a frequent bus service to and from the charging area i.e. the World Heritage Site.
Results
- Reduction of 85% in vehicular traffic - from over 2000 to approximately 200 vehicles a day.
- Reduced vehicle emissions.
- 10% increase in pedestrian activity - each day between 13,000 and 19,000 pedestrians use the same stretch of road, which is wide enough for just one vehicle at a time.
- Steady increase in use of the Cathedral Bus service.
- Majority of businesses (83%) have not altered their servicing arrangements following introduction of the charge.
Public Opinion
- Significant improvement in public perception of the scheme since its introduction - 70% (a 21% increase from before the scheme was introduced) now believe the charge is a good idea.
- Rise to 78% (a 10% increase) in those who consider Durham City Centre to be a safe place to visit.
Next Steps
- Durham County Council has recently been awarded funding from the Department for Transport to examine the potential of extending the existing charging zone.
Website
Durham City Road User Charge Scheme:
www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/web/pages+with+sections/Transport+and+Streets+-+Parking-Durham+Road+User+Charge+Zone.
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