Plans to build a new relief road for Durham and extend its existing congestion charge are to be put on hold.

The announcement follows a two-year study into options for addressing traffic management problems in and around the city centre.

Durham County Council leader Simon Henig said the construction of a northern relief road and widening the catchment area of the current road-charging scheme “will not be pursued in the short or medium-term”.

He added that a more inclusive congestion charge could deter people from visiting the city.

Moreover, he added, neither option was likely to persuade people to adopt a more sustainable mode of travel, which was a key target outcome.

“Instead we are to re-focus our efforts on developing other solutions which we believe will still alleviate many of the City’s traffic problems and help us to create a more sustainable transport system within the city centre,” said Mr Henig.

Durham County Council was one of a handful of authorities which won Transport Innovation Funding (TIF) from the Department for Transport to help test the practicality and effectiveness of a range of solutions to current and future traffic congestion problems.

Options under consideration have included greater use of park and ride services, an extension of the existing congestion charge and a possible relief road, as well improvements to the highway infrastructure and better facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.

Mr Henig said the council is now seeking a solution that will limit the volume of vehicles entering the city rather than the volume of people.