Congestion was introduced in Durham City in October 2002

There has also been an 85% reduction in traffic since the �2 charge was introduced in Durham's medieval city centre on 1 October 2002.

Durham County Council says it is "delighted" with the success of the system, which restricts traffic flow to the cathedral and castle area.

The levy has also brought an 11% rise in the number of pedestrians.

The authority hoped the charge would reduce conflict between cars and pedestrians.

A spokesman for Durham County Council said: "Without a doubt the charge has been an overwhelming success with almost everyone in the city.

"We have also had a great deal of interest from local authorities from other areas of the UK and from Europe."

Since the charge began, 848 people have been hit with a �30 surcharge for attempting to evade the levy.

There have also been 135 incidents where vehicles have collided with the safety bollard - mostly due to people trying to tailgate through without paying.