MARSHALLED taxi ranks and new pick-up points are being introduced to help Durham’s late-night revellers find their way home more easily.

A late-night bus service will also be improved in the latest initiative of the Nightsafe campaign, run by Durham Police, Durham County Council and Durham University.

The measures, which at first will be treated as an experiment, are aimed at getting people home safely and clearing the city centre as quickly and efficiently as possible, and will come into effect on Friday, October 30.

Carol Feenan, the council’s Nightsafe manager, said: "The Best Bar None scheme has established some excellent management practices within our licensed premises and university bars, so members of the public can enjoy a good night out in Durham City.

"We are now concentrating our efforts on the transport network and planning to ensure members of the public are able to get home both safely and quickly at night."

Sergeant Steve Norris said: "We are hoping the public will quickly identify and use the new pick-up and drop-off points. This will help establish quick, convenient and safe transport in and out of the city."

Posters and leaflets have been distributed to publicise the initiative.

The changes will see: · The late-night N20 bus service picking up and dropping off from the same bus stop at the bottom of Claypath, across from Millennium Place; · The introduction of two marshalled taxi ranks: one at the bottom of North Road next to Yates wine bar and one at the bottom of Claypath, opposite Millennium Place; · The launch of designated pick-up and drop-off points for people using their own cars: at the top of North Road outside the bus station, alongside Prince Bishops shopping centre and just off Milburngate Bridge, next to Durham Indoor Market.

Coun Neil Foster, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: "This latest initiative will make the end of a great night out in Durham even better, safer and more memorable for all the right reasons."

Durham’s Best Bar None safety campaign was recently voted the best in the country. In two years, alcohol-related crime has dropped by 35 per cent.