New £60million road plan for Sunderland: Have your say on proposals

The scheme - which is Phase 3 in the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor (SSTC) - will see a dual carriageway run from the eastern end of the new bridge through Pallion, Deptford, and Farringdon Row to St Mary’s Boulevard.

City leaders say it is a vital project to improve access to a host of key sites, including the new development on the old Vaux land.

Now people can have their say on plans for the new road at a series of public meetings.

The road, identified as a key regional project by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP) in its Strategic Economic Plan, has seen its route purposely designed to avoid the Grade II listed Wellington Lane school building.

Coun Harry Trueman, the City Council’s Deputy Leader, said: “The City Council is committed to continued investment in our road and transport network.

“Construction of the new Wear crossing and its approach roads is underway, St Mary’s Boulevard has been completed, and there have been a series of improvements and updates to our junctions with the A19.

“Further improvements are being programmed and this is one of them - Phase 3 of the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor.

“The corridor is a £60m project to complete a continuous dual carriageway from the A19 into the city centre.

“It is being designed to improve opportunities for further regeneration in Pallion, Deptford and Farringdon Row. And, alongside the new Wear crossing this is going to help reduce congestion and improve access to the city centre and other key employment sites.”

Coun Michael Mordey, the City Council’s Portfolio Holder for City Services, said: “The council wants to hear more from residents and businesses and get more feedback.

“This is a scheme designed to help with more growth and investment in our city.

“We are holding two open days where representatives from the council’s project team will be on hand to give an overview on project plans and answer questions.”

Work on the new Wear Crossing - which is Phase 2 of the SSTC - remains ongoing. Phase 1 of the plan was the realignment and widening of St Mary’s Boulevard, which has already been completed.

Open days where people can find out more about the new dual carriageway plan will be held on Friday from 12.30-8pm and on Saturday from 12.30-6pm at St Mark’s Community Association, in St Mark’s Terrace, Millfield.

People can also visit the City Library, in Fawcett Street, from Monday to view a print copy of the summary leaflet and exhibition materials and complete the comments form.

For further information or to submit your views online visit the website at www.sunderland.gov.uk/SSTC3. Comments should be made no later

than 5pm on Thursday, June 30.

Further SSTC plans include Phase 4, which is upgrades to Wessington Way and the A19 west of the new bridge and Phase 5, which is upgrades between the Port of Sunderland and the Wearmouth Bridge.