North-East drivers have two weeks to give their views on a planned £2 road toll for Durham City.

Durham County Council has approved a scheme to charge drivers to use Saddler Street, which leads from the Market Place to the peninsula and includes the World Heritage Site 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 to Mr Byers. If he backs the idea, 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 scheme is designed to reduce the conflict between vehicles and the many pedestrians who use narrow Saddler Street.

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

Five people outside the peninsula area objected to the scheme.

People should write to the Secretary of State at 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.