A POLICE inspector says the overnight closure of part of a city centre on weekends has got off to a promising start.

Anger has been growing over late-night noise and disturbance from drinkers leaving bars and clubs on Walkergate, Durham City, and getting into taxis on nearby Claypath, with the police branding the area “like the Wild West”.

Last month, the police and Durham County Council announced lower Claypath would be shut to traffic on Friday and Saturday nights in a bid to tackle the problems.

That move came into force on Friday night (December 5) and Dave Coxon, neighbourhood inspector for Durham City, said it had gone very well.

“The vast majority of taxi drivers were understanding and it felt safe for people.

“There were no real problems,” he said.

“We will be out again next weekend making sure the road stays closed and people know the reasons.”

Claypath is now closed between Millennium Place and the Providence Row junction between 9pm and 4am on Fridays and Saturdays, plus Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

The closure will be trialled for up to 18 months before the authorities decide whether to make it permanent.