DURHAM MP Gerry Steinberg will launch the work on a £10m project to ease the city's traffic problems.

On Monday, he will cut the first turf on the site at Belmont of one of three park and ride car parks that Durham County Council will build.

The council wants to reduce the amount of traffic that travels into the city centre.

The Belmont park and ride, near the city's A1(M) interchange, is expected to be the first to be completed.

The sites will offer secure parking and bus links into the city centre.

The park and rides are the third element of a strategy to ease congestion and parking problems.

On-street parking restrictions and the peninsular toll road have already been introduced.

Deputy council leader Don Ross said the unrelenting growth in traffic and increasing demand for parking had made the scheme essential.

He said: "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 bus service to and from the town.

"I am sure it will quickly become a popular and convenient way of getting into the town."

More than 1,200 spaces will be provided at Belmont, Howlands Farm and Sniperley.