A TOWN centre will get a new bus and cycle lane to ease congestion.

The lane will be introduced on Newcastle Road, Chester-le-Street, to reduce tailbacks particularly during peak times.

The lane will be open to buses and cyclists between 7am and 7pm and car drivers caught using it will be fined £30.

The scheme is part of Durham County Council's bid to encourage people to use more sustainable forms of transport.

Traffic consultations have been carried out and bus operators said they experienced delays during rush hour.

Durham County Council's deputy chief executive Chris Tunstall said: "The introduction of the bus lane on Newcastle Road will give priority to buses with a view to reducing the time it takes for commuters to use public transport.

"Bus priority measures can make an important contribution to tackling congestion and pollution at a local level."

There are cycle lanes on the north and southbound carriageway but these will be removed.

Cyclists heading north will be able to use the bus lane while those travelling south will get a segregated two-metre cycleway on the east footway.

One man objected to the plan and said bus lanes failed because most people chose private vehicle rather than public transport.

The Freight Transport Association objected because it said commercial and heavy goods vehicles should not be excluded and a no-car lane should be introduced instead.