A DECISION is due to be made on plans to improve travel infrastructure around a North-East university.

Durham University wants to provide more pedestrian and cycle routes around its teaching buildings and accommodation in South Road to make it safer for students to get about.

In the past, concerns have been raised about the number of people using footpaths in South Road, with pedestrians often walking in the road because the pavement is busy.

The proposals, which will be considered by Durham County Council councillors at a meeting today, include widening a number of footpaths and cycle ways, surfacing the path through Little High Woods, altering the access to Hollingside Lane, to serve a new 215 space car park, putting in a new footpath alongside Hollingside Lane and putting in a new footpath near the biological sciences department.

Alterations will also be made to Elvet Hill Road car park and crossings at the traffic lights just south of the South Road and Howlands Junction.

The infrastructure improvements are being made as part of Durham University's estates masterplan, which includes plans to build a number of new departments and colleges to support its planned expansion.

A statement by the university said: "The university estates masterplan also recognised the need to improve the routes people travel between student accommodation and academic departments and identified a new north-south 'super route'.

"The aim being to remove pressure on existing public footpaths by creating a safer route to travel between key locations, providing a more welcoming alternative to South Road."

Objections have been made by Trust Pathways, which campaigns for safer cycling in Durham, Durham City Access for All, which both raised concerns about accessibility.

Meanwhile the City of Durham Trust said the proposed car park would significantly increase traffic on Hollingside Lane, worsening the environment for pedestrians and cyclists and suggested the university should introduce charges for employee parking permits.

County council planners have recommended the scheme is approved.

A report, to be considered by councillors today, said: "The public benefit emerging from the development would principally relate to the provision of new footpath and cycle routes in order to resolve a recognised existing capacity issue and thereby safety issue on existing routes.

"The development would help in not only resolving current capacity and safety issues but it would also aid in the long term as future developments emerge."

The meeting takes place at County Hall, Durham, and starts at 1pm.