Of all the places in the country, why would Durham decide to implement a congestion charge?

The Congestion Digest spoke to John McGargill, head of the traffic section for Durham City Council, about the reasons why Durham would decide to introduce the charge into the little city:

Before the scheme was introduced Durham many drivers were blocking the main road into the city centre. This ended up creating tailbacks in other areas of the city. So the congestion charge was not only affecting the city centre, but there was a problem with the outskirts too.

John McGargill describes the problem:

It isn’t only the council who are reaping the benefits from a seemingly successful outcome. The pedestrians in the area are once again filling the pavements, especially as over 1,800 people have ditched their cars and put on their walking boots instead.

In 2002 it seemed that a pioneering scheme was about to be unleashed in Britain with further cities taking on the initiative. Four years later though and after a lot of deliberation in many different county councils, London and Durham are still the only British cities to charge their road users in this novel way. John McGargill didn’t think it would turn out this way.

John McGargill speaks about why it isn’t happening this way:

Some have said that it seems Durham and London are lucky in the sense that they have the means to use a congestion charge. London has a system in place where there is one governing body for transport, and they have much better train and bus facilities available. Durham is able to have a congestion charge because it is easier to monitor inbound and outbound traffic in an area where only one road leads into the centre.

It remains to be seen whether any other cities will decide to finally take the plunge and start charging their road users for their place on the road. For now though Durham council and its residents will be walking happy with what can be hailed as a successful project.

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