A TOLL road scheme has narrowly missed out on national and European awards.

The initiative by Durham County Council, in which motorists are charged to access the Market Place and Saddler Street in Durham, was among 11 shortlisted for the 2002 European Public Transport Award.

It also placed the council among the top three contenders for the title of Transport Authority of the Year in the 2003 National Transport Awards.

The scheme has already won the council a Consultation with the Community prize in the Labour Party's annual best practice awards.

Introducing tolls has succeeded in reducing the flow of traffic into the narrow streets of Durham's peninsula by 90 per cent.

But it failed to scoop the honours in the latest ceremonies, which both took place on Thursday night.

The leader of Durham County Council, Councillor Ken Manton, said: "The congestion charging scheme illustrates our willingness to seek innovative ways to meet the challenges that arise from the conflicting demands of different user groups.

"It has certainly put our name firmly on the European map."

Yesterday, Durham County Council gave a presentation about the toll road scheme to an audience of European public transport officials.

The scheme will also feature in an accompanying four-day exhibition, estimated to attract more than 5,000 representatives of European institutions and national, regional and local governments.