Sunderland LIVE news: Traffic, travel, weather and breaking news from across the region on Monday, February 17
Hello and welcome to the Live blog, where we will bring you all your local news from across Wearside. If there is any news you think we should know about, get in contact with us via social media and a member of the live team will get back to you. Have a lovely Monday.
Sunderland LIVE news: Traffic, travel, weather and breaking news from across the region on Monday, February 17
6am: Good morning early risers!
You're with Candice and Poppy for the early shift - we will be bringing you LIVE updates from across the region.
If you have any news you think we should know about get in touch via social media and we will get back to you.
6.10am: No Metro services running from South Hylton to Pelaw
Tyne and Wear Metro said: "Due to Network rail engineering work over running, we currently have no trains running between South Hylton and Pelaw.
"Ticket acceptance on Go Nort East 35, 35a, 9 and Stagecoach 8, 10 & 20."
6.15am: Further Metro troubles
Tyne and Wear Metro said: "As a result of reduced driver availability, we have 4 core trains cancelled today. "
Tyne and Wear Metro said: "As a result of reduced driver availability, we have 6 peak time trains cancelled today."
7.10am: Trains are now running between South Hylton and Pelaw
Tyne and Wear Metro said: "Trains are now running between South Hylton and Pelaw but subject to 20 minute delays. This was due to Network Rail works over running."
7.15am: Yellow weather warning for strong winds
The Met Office said: "Storm Dennis will bring some very strong winds and transport disruption during Sunday and into Monday morning."
7.20am: Sunderland band Picnic which played Dave Stewart's 65th birthday gig gearing up for string of festival dates
An emerging Sunderland band, who’ve already caught the ear of rock star Dave Stewart and presenter Holly Willoughby, are gearing up for a string of festival dates.
Most of the band members of six-piece Picnic met whilst studying at Sunderland College and Sunderland University and in the four years since forming have already had their music featured on This Morning, where presenter Holly dubbed their music “cute”, and were one of three local bands selected by Eurythmics star Dave Stewart to perform at his 65th birthday gig at Sunderland Empire.
7.30am: Latest Metro update
Tyne and Wear Metro said: "As a result of reduced driver availability, we have 2 core trains cancelled today."
7.40am: More Metro updates
Tyne and Wear Metro said: "As a result of reduced driver availability, we have 1 peak time trains running this morning and 1 evening peak time train cancelled."
7.45am: Fancy getting your hands on a £1 house? Auction to sell off properties in Sunderland and East Durham ready for redevelopment
Looking for a chance to get your hands on a doer-upper or branching into property redevelopment?
These could be the house for you, as almost 40 homes across the North of England go up for auction with a ‘nil’ reserve price, with others given the starting price of £1.
Bond Wolfe Auctions will be holding the sale later this month, with properties in Sunderland and East Durham among them, as well as across Cumbria, Liverpool, Doncaster, Salford and more.
7.55am: Emergency services called to car ablaze on A19 near Dalton Park
Emergency services are currently at the scene of a car fire on the A19 southbound slip road near Murton.
County Durham Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed the car is 'well alight' and they have one fire engine at the scene dealing with the blaze.
Traffic is slowing on the A19 southbound but is still moving.
One crew from Seaham Fire Station is using one hose reel and breathing apparatus as they fight the fire.
AA traffic planner reports: "Exit ramp partially blocked and slow traffic due to car fire on A19 Southbound from B1404 Seaton Lane (Seaton Interchange) to A182 (Murton Interchange)."