The council's cabinet has agreed the move for an experimental period after carrying out a safety audit.

Taxis will be able to use bus only lanes on Stonebridge, St Cuthbert's Way and Coniscliffe Road, via the traffic restricted area of Northgate.

It is hoped this will allow quicker travel into and out of the town centre.

Councillor Nick Wallis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "We aim to help taxi drivers in the town to do their job more effectively and swiftly by letting them use these bus lanes.

"It will also aid other road users by reducing congestion in the normal traffic flow."