PLANS for Durham's congestion-busting park and ride scheme are being unveiled to the public.

Durham County Council plans to build three car parks on the outskirts where people can park and ride by bus into the city centre.

The £8.3m Government-funded scheme is the final phase in the council's attempt to ease congestion that has seen the introduction of on-street parking charges and the toll road in Saddler Street.

The park and ride centres will be built at the A1(M)/A690 interchange at Carrville, Howlands Farm, next to Durham University in South Road, and at Sniperley, at the junction of the A167/A691.

Carrville already has planning permission and funding although work has not started because the land sale is still being negotiated.

Planning permission has yet to be won for the other two sites.

The idea is that visitors, shoppers and workers will park for free at the sites and travel into the centre by bus.

A council spokesman said: "We haven't fixed the fare yet but it will be significantly cheaper than long-stay parking in the centre.''

Each site will hold around 400 vehicles and have waiting rooms, toilet facilities and reserved spaces for the disabled.

Work should start next spring and the facilities should start to open from the later part of 2004.

Council leader Ken Manton said: "The scheme will provide shoppers, commuters and visitors with a safe, reliable and stress-free alternative to driving into the city.

"The park and ride sites have been carefully identified after an in-depth assessment of their suitability and will be designed to minimise their environmental and visual impact.

"Coupled with priority measures for the park and ride buses, the scheme will result in easier access to the city centre, reduced congestion in the town at peak periods, reduced conflict in the town for a limited supply of long-stay parking spaces and a fast and efficient high quality bus service to and from the town.''

Detailed plans and proposals for the schemes at Howlands Farm and Sniperley can be seen at County Hall this Thursday and Friday, from 9.30am to 4.30pm and, on Saturday until 12.30pm.