New speed limits proposed for key Sunderland roads and New Wear Crossing

A 50mph speed limit is being proposed for Wessington Way once the New Wear Crossing is open to traffic.

With the £117million bridge due to open next spring, Sunderland City Council is proposing a number of speed limits be introduced on key routes in the city.

These include:

Speed restrictions have been suggested for Barons Quay Road in Sunderland.

• The New Wear Crossing bridge – 40mph

• The new Southern Approach Link Road to Woodbine Terrace – 40mph

• The new Western Link Road – 30mph

• Wessington Way – 50mph (from A19 to the existing 30mph west of QA Bridge)

• Ferryboat Lane – 30mph

• Baron’s Quay Road – 30mph

Council bosses say the proposed measures are aimed at ensuring traffic moves safely and efficiently along the routes leading to and from the bridge, as well as safeguarding pedestrians.

It is also proposed to introduce a 24-hour Rural Clearway on Wessington Way and the New Wear Crossing and its link roads, which will prohibit vehicles stopping on the carriageways.

Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Paul Watson said the proposed speed limits were an important part of Phase 2 of the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor, which aims to improve journey times between manufacturing sites beside the A19, such as Nissan, through to the city centre and the Port of Sunderland.

He said: ““A lot of thought has gone into setting the right speed limits on and around the New Wear Crossing to ensure traffic moves smoothly and safely around the city.

“These proposals include a reduction in the speed limit on Wessington Way, which takes into account the new road layout, expected traffic levels, pedestrians and the local amenities.

“The result should be that vehicles move effectively and swiftly around the Castletown and Pallion areas.”

People have three weeks to comment on the proposed speed limits and Rural Clearway.

Documents giving more detail about the proposed speed limits may be inspected during normal opening hours at the City Centre Customer Services Centre in Fawcett Street, Sunderland.

Comments relating to the new speed limits and Rural Clearway order should be made in writing and sent to Head of Law and Governance, PO Box 100, Civic Centre, Burdon Road, Sunderland, SR2 7DN, by Thursday 12 October, 2017.