Durham Council Plans Significant Increase in City Centre Road Charge

A local authority intends to substantially raise a city centre road charge, aiming to discourage drivers from entering the vicinity. Specifically, Durham County Council plans to elevate the daily fee for vehicle access within the Durham City peninsula from £2 to £5 and also lengthen the operational hours of the charging zone. Kieron Moralee, who serves as the council’s traffic management section manager, stated that the area has the potential to draw up to 30,000 vehicles monthly, despite having limited on-street parking facilities. He elaborated, stating: “This traffic in a largely pedestrian area has safety implications both during the day and at night and can also be unsightly in the historic core of our city.” Moralee added, “We are proposing the increased charge and the hours it applies to deter motorists from coming into this area for these reasons.” The Durham Road User Charge Zone encompasses the vicinity of Durham Cathedral and Castle, Durham Market Place, Durham Chorister School, Durham University colleges, and various retail establishments and enterprises. According to information on the council’s website, the zone contributes to diminishing traffic congestion and pollution, concurrently fostering “out-of-hours use of the area.” At present, a £2 charge is levied for entry into the zone from 10:00 to 16:00, Monday through Saturday. However, the proposed changes would see the zone’s operational period extended to run daily from 10:00 until 02:00. Mr. Moralee further mentioned that individuals retain the option to park in other parts of the city and utilize a park-and-ride service to reach central Durham. A public consultation regarding these modifications has commenced, providing residents until December 19 to submit their feedback.