One of the oldest and narrowest city streets in Britain will be the focus of international attention tomorrow.

Saddler Street winds its narrow way to the world famous Durham Cathedral and the city's spectacular Norman castle as it has around 1,000 years.

But tomorrow, the ancient thoroughfare will become Britain's newest toll road, the first since the Transport Act 2000 gave councils the power to introduce charging and a scheme expected to lead to dozens of others around the country.

Labour-controlled Durham County Council hopes to ease the conflict between vehicles and pedestrians in the narrow streets which lead from the Market Place up to the World Heritage Site.

At present, cars have to inch their way forward along Saddler Street which is often thronging with shoppers and students.

Drivers will have to pay £2 - as they leave the restricted area - between 10am and 4pm Mondays to Saturdays although there are exemptions for people such as residents.

CCTV will keep watch on the rising bollard where drivers pay and anyone who flouts the charge will pay a £30 fine.

The council wants to cut the number of drivers who drop someone off in the Market Place, drive up to the castle and turn round to pick them up later, avoiding parking charges. Council leader Ken Manton said: "There may be initial teething problems so we are going to have to be tolerant of each other during the first week or so.

"I am sure it won't be very long before people become accustomed to it and accept that it's helping to create a safer and better environment in the historic city centre.'' Formal consultation on the scheme attracted only seven objections - from residents outside the scheme area.

Durham University, which has several colleges on the peninsula, the cathedral, residents in the area and Durham Chorister School appear happy with the proposals.

Roger Cornwell, chairman of the City of Durham Trust, said: "You have to let something like this bed in before you pass comment but I wouldn't be surprised if there were chaos in the first few days.''

Ben Wood, president of the Student Union, said: "I don't know what the long-term effect will be.

"There will be fewer cars, which will make it a bit more pleasant on ease congestion. "But on the flip side it will make it much more difficult to get up there, particularly this week, Freshers' Week.

A university spokesman said: "We thought it was quite a good idea because Saddler Street is very narrow and very busy and has to be a predominantly pedestrian street.''