CHARGING motorists to use roads could put people off going on holiday to leading destinations in the North, such as Durham and York, according to a survey.

The Mori poll, carried out for the Churchill Insurance company, asked people how they would respond to proposed satellite monitoring and being charged to use busy roads.

Durham's Saddler Street, between the Market Place and cathedral, has been designated Britain's first toll road, with a £2 charge at peak times expected to be in place by the summer.

A further 35 local authorities, including York, are in the early stages of talks with the Government to adopt tolls on roads in their areas.

But, according to the survey, published yesterday, they would discourage 34 per cent of the 1,002 people asked from going on holiday to the areas by car.

Men were more concerned by the fees than women, with 38 per cent being put off compared with 30 per cent of women.

While the charges are aimed at easing congestion, almost seven out of ten of those surveyed said they did not believe they would work.

Churchill's executive director, Charles Crawford, said: "It's very worrying that the plans would have such an adverse knock-on effect on the UK holiday market.

"A significant number of people would be put off holidaying in their cars if they were being charged for driving around, which would seem to be at odds with the Government's theme of boosting the domestic market following the foot-and-mouth outbreak."

But Councillor Maurice Crathorne, leader of Durham City Council, played down the survey's findings.

He said: "I wouldn't have thought charging would put people off going to the World Heritage site, as it's such a popular tourist attraction.

"It's mainly to stop people from misusing the road."