THERE was noticeably less traffic on Durham City’s roads yesterday morning but a lot more noise.

The big public sector pensions strike reduced rush hour congestion considerably.

But those drivers still on the roads demonstrated their support for the strikers by tooting their horns at picket lines.

Barely a vehicle passed along Soutfield Way, where PCS pickets from the Land Registry were gathered on the other side of the road to Unison colleagues at the University Hospital of North Durham.

Land Registry PCS branch secretary Stuart Dunn said: "Stuart Dunn, PCS branch sec land registry.

"There are 400 people work here and there are 350 on strike. It is a superb turnout.

"This is about robbery of the pension scheme to pay off the national debt.

"People have been tooting and we have had bacon sandwiches and coffee brought for us and there is a bagful of Cadbury’s choclate that people brought us. It has been fantastic.’’ One hardy picket turned out just after 4am to put out the PCS banners while a short distance away at County Hall, headquarters of Durham County Council, the Unison/GMB protest began at about 6am and continued until after the building’s doors were shut at 9.30am.

Many went on to the regional TUC rally on Tyneside later in the morning.

County Hall was closed to the public although essential functions operated despite the strike.

Howard Pink, Unison regional officer, said: "I am really really, impressed with the support.

"The number of council premises that are closed down is impressive and very few staff have reported for work here at County Hall.

"Virtually all the schools across the county are closed so it’s a really good solid show of support for the strike.

"Obviously disruption for the public is regrettable but people affected by the pensions dispute have to show their anger and their concern and I’m just hoping the Government will sit up and take notice."

Unison regional convenor Clare Williams was impressed by the turnout: "We have got a lot of Unison members who have never taken action before.

"I think that shows the extent of feeling around this issue and how the Government are treating public sector workers that people feel that they have no choice other than to take strike action.’’ Dozens of pickets manned the entrances to University Hospital where pathology department worker John Proud, a Unison member, said: "Years ago (Robert) Maxwell stole from the Daily Mirror pension funds and this Government are doing the exactly the same.

"We have only had one person really complain about us and sadly she was complaining that her own NHS pension had overtaken her husband’s private pension.

"She was indicating that we should be fighting for private pensions We are fighting for everyone to have a pension.

"That’s what previous Governments wanted, for everyone to have a pension.’’ A small group of third year Durham University students joined PCS members from the Passport Office who demopnstrated and leafkleted in the city’s Market Place.

One of them, Jim Elliott, said; "We have come out here in solidarity with public sector workers, who we feel are being incredibly unfairly treated by the Tory/ Lib Dem Government.

"A lot of public sector workers came out in support of students when we were having problems with this Government and we feel it’s only fair we come out when they are having problems."