A SCHEME to charge £2 to drive to Durham City's World Heritage Site could be operating by the summer.

Durham County Council highways chiefs hope Saddler Street will become one of the country's first toll roads in time for the tourist season.

The scheme is designed to reduce the conflict between vehicles and the many pedestrians who use the narrow street that runs from the Market Place to the cathedral and castle.

The charge will apply between 10am and 4pm Monday to Saturday and will be paid as drivers head away from the city's peninsula.

The highways committee approved a draft traffic order for the scheme - despite five objections - that now needs Transport Secretary Stephen Byers' final approval.

Highways director Roger Elphick said: "We want to reduce the amount of unnecessary traffic.

"About 50 per cent of traffic is mobile parkers who drive up to Palace Green, drop someone off and turn round again.''

Mr Elphick said the scheme would provide significant improvements to the environment and make it more attractive for tourists, and also safer, in an important part of the city.

A permit scheme will ensure residents, university, cathedral and Durham Chorister School staff do not have to pay.

A traffic island will be created opposite Boots, in the Market Place, and a rising bollard will be installed in the lane heading away from the peninsula. The pay point will be manned for the first six months to help ease the scheme's introduction. The council hopes to introduce CCTV to help with its operation.