NATIONAL transport award judges are to see how congestion has been cut in a city centre.

Durham's toll scheme has already earned the county council an accolade for the community consultation before the charge was implemented.

Now the county council has been shortlisted for Transport Authority of the Year in the 2003 National Transport Awards.

The Robert Gordon University, in Aberdeen, inaugurated the awards to promote integrated transport.

Transport Authority of the Year is considered the most prestigious category in awards backed by the Department of Transport.

The congestion charge has helped to cut traffic flows by as much as 90 per cent during peak hours.

Backed by parking controls, and with an £8m city park and ride scheme also proposed, the county council hopes the package could sway the judges.

County council leader Ken Manton said that being shortlisted among the top three was something in which the authority could be justifiably proud.

He said: "The congestion charging scheme illustrates our willingness to seek new and innovative ways to meet the challenges that arise from the conflicting demands of different user-groups."

Professor David Begg, director for the centre for transport policy at Robert Gordon University, leads a team of judges round Durham next Tuesday.

They will then turn their attention on the other finalists - York and Sheffield.