Traffic Sensitive Streets (charging for roadworks on busy roads)

As part of a regular review of the roads and streets in County Durham that are designated as traffic sensitive, we have identified some new additions to the list. We would like your feedback on these additions.

We will also be talking to businesses, contractors and other people who carry out work that may affect the use of our roads and footpaths, and are also particularly interested in hearing the views of local businesses, organisations and those involved in organising major events or attractions in the county. 

Background

We currently have a permit scheme for work on all our roads and footpaths eg when they are dug up for utilities work. It means that companies carrying out work must have a permit before they do this work. 

As a street authority, we may designate certain roads, streets or parts of streets as traffic sensitive ie any work carried out in these areas will have a bigger impact as there is a high level of use. These areas attract a higher permit fee as they are likely to have a greater impact on the travelling public.

As part of the permit scheme, we have to maintain an up-to-date list of roads, streets and parts of streets that are classed as 'traffic sensitive'. The list identifies areas that are highly used by pedestrians or vehicles and helps us to understand the potential effects that any work would have on pedestrians, businesses, organisations or major events in the area.

There are over 600 roads in the county that are classified as traffic sensitive. 

How we decide if a street is traffic sensitive

Designation may apply to the road, pavement, both, or to any part of a length of the street. It may also only apply at certain times of day, days of the week, or days of the year.

A street is defined as traffic sensitive if it: 

• has an estimated traffic flow of greater than 500 vehicles per hour per lane (excluding bus or cycle lanes)
• is a single lane two-way road, with a lane width of less than 6.5 metres and has a total traffic flow of more than 600 vehicles per hour
• has more than 25% heavy commercial vehicles
• has more than 8 buses per hour in both directions
• is within 100 metres of an important traffic lit junction, roundabout or complex roundabout (gyratory)
• has a pedestrian flow rate of at least 1300 people per hour per metre width of pavement

List of sensitive streets

Below is the current list of sensitive streets, and also a list of the newly proposed ones.

The closing date for comments is Friday 20 June 2025 .