Durham Road User Charge Zone
The zone is on the Durham City peninsula, near Durham Cathedral and Castle, Durham Market Place, Durham Chorister School, Durham University colleges and a variety of shops and businesses.
The zone helps to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and improves air quality in the area. It also encourages out-of-hours use of the area, creating safer and more attractive streets for everyone.
Using the zone
An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system at the junction of Saddler Street and Claypath, on the Market Square, records any vehicles entering or leaving the zone.
There is a daily charge of £2 for entering the zone between 10.00am and 4.00pm, Monday to Saturday. There is no charge on Sundays or bank holidays.
Paying the charge
All vehicles that enter or exit the zone during these times must pay the charge unless they qualify for an exemption.
You must pay the charge in advance (up to 2 weeks before you use the zone) or by 12 midnight on the day the road is used. If you do not pay the charge by 12 midnight on the day, the registered keeper of the vehicle may receive a £50 fine (Penalty Charge Notice). We cannot accept payments retrospectively - if you have not paid the charge by 12 midnight on the date the road was used, you must wait for the Penalty Charge Notice and follow the payment or appeals procedure on it.
Payment methods:
- PayByPhone parking - use your phone and enter location code 804250
- Pay online
- in person at The Parking Shop, Suite 1, Forster House, Forster Business Centre, Framwellgate Moor, DH1 5HL, Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 4.00pm
Should one of the payment methods be unavailable our outside listed hours, you will be required to pay via an alternative payment method.
Exemptions
You do not have to register the following:
- two wheeled motorbikes (and sidecars), mopeds and bicycles
- vehicles being used for the purpose of delivering or collecting postal packets in the service of a universal service provider
- liveried police, fire brigade or ambulance vehicles
- powered wheelchairs or scooters used by a disabled person
- liveried Durham County Council vehicles
You must register if you want the following to be exempt:
- NHS vehicles that are exempt from road tax
- vehicles used by disabled people that are exempt from road tax under the 'disabled' class
- vehicles for more than one disabled person (for example Dial-A-Ride) that are exempt from road tax
- bullion vehicles
- roadside recovery vehicles registered with the DVLA and have a road tax class of 'recovery vehicle'
- taxis, hackney carriages and private hire vehicles
- local bus service vehicles
- non-liveried police, fire brigade or ambulance vehicle on operational duty
- liveried vehicles belonging to breakdown organisations on operational duty
- utility companies (statutory undertakers) in liveried vehicles on operational duty who are working on roads or pavements
Apply for a Durham Road User Charge Zone exemption
This account allows you to register up to five non-chargeable vehicles. Registered vehicles will be recognised by the ANPR system as being exempt from the charge. Account holders will be issued with a password allowing them to manage their account online.
Multiple occupancy properties such as a house sub-divided into 'bed sits' will be treated as one residence and will be eligible to apply for one account.
If the property is split into several discrete flats and is registered as such, each flat will be entitled to apply for a Road User Charge account.
Applicants must provide a completed application form along with proof of residency within the charging zone. A residential council tax document dated within 12 months of application will be accepted as proof of residency.
Apply for a Durham Road User Charge Zone exemption
Registered vehicles will be recognised by the ANPR system as being exempt from the charge. All account holders will be issued with a password allowing them to manage their account online.
Organisations and businesses whose property is located within the charging zone but does not have off street parking can not apply for an account. You will either need to use the zone outside of the chargeable hours or pay the £2 charge.
Applicants must provide a completed application form along with proof of off street parking provision within the charging zone. A 1:500 scale plan including deeds or lease agreement will be accepted as proof of off street parking.
Apply for a Durham Road User Charge Zone exemption
Blue badge holders may register up to two vehicles that they normally use to travel. This could be their vehicle, or one they travel in. Registered vehicles will be recognised by the ANPR system as being exempt from the charge. These vehicles will remain registered until expiry of the blue badge. It will be necessary to re-register upon receipt of the new Blue Badge.
You must provide a completed application form along with a copy of a valid blue badge.
Apply for a Durham Road User Charge Zone exemption
- Email parkingservices@durham.gov.uk
- Telephone 03000 263 985
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