A NORTH-EAST city looks set to become the first outside of London to charge people for the use of a popular road.

The toll road in Durham City could be in operation within months, with motorists charged £2 to drive along Saddler Street in the city centre.

Durham County Council is one of 30 local authorities in Britain taking advantage of new powers introduced by the Government.

The Durham scheme is expected to become the first toll road of its kind in the country outside London.

Tolls paid by motorists for access to specific roads are expected to swell council coffers nationwide by £3bn over the next decade.

Council bosses in Durham estimate that Saddler Street is used by about 3,000 vehicles a day.

They say that puts the high number of pedestrians who use the street at risk and generates traffic jams up to a mile long.

The scheme, due to be introduced in the autumn, is expected to be based largely on a plan unveiled last year.

It is proposed that all vehicles, taxis and delivery vehicles included, be charged £2 for entering a designated area from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday.

Residents would be given free permits allowing them access at all times. Entry on Sundays would be free for everyone.

Bus services carrying people into Durham city centre are to be enhanced and footpaths are to be widened.

The city's chamber of trade is supporting the bid to reduce the amount of traffic in principle, but many businesses fear that tolls will disrupt deliveries and deter shoppers.

Ministers regard the Durham plan as small and uncontroversial and hope it will pave the way for the introduction of larger and more complex schemes elsewhere.

A spokesman for the council said: "The proposal will be going out to consultation again.

"If there is broad agreement, we could introduce the scheme later this year, possibly in the autumn."