drivers have two weeks to give their views on a proposed £2 road toll for a North-East city.

Durham County Council has approved a scheme to charge drivers to use Saddler Street, which leads from Durham Market Place to the peninsula and includes the World Heritage Site, which is made up of the cathedral and castle.

The council has already consulted on the proposals, but people and businesses can give their views to Transport Secretary Stephen Byers, who has the final decision on the scheme.

They have until Tuesday, April 9 to make representations.

If Mr Byers supports the proposal, the council hopes to have the scheme up and running by the summer, making it one of the country's first toll schemes.

Copies of the council's appraisal document, which forms part of the submission to Mr Byers, can be seen by contacting John McGargill, of the council's traffic section, on 0191-383 4635.

The road toll scheme is designed to reduce the conflict which exists between vehicles and the pedestrians who use narrow Saddler Street.

The charge will apply between 10am and 4pm, from Monday to Saturday, but a permit scheme will ensure that residents, university, cathedral and Durham Chorister School staff do not have to pay.

Five people outside the peninsula area have objected to the scheme.

People with comments to make should write to the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions' charging and local transport division, Zone 3/7A, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DR.