Pictured: The road to the future of Sunderland

The images were released as part of a planning application for a multi-million pound dual carriageway into Sunderland city centre.

The road section - which is forms Phase 3 of Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor (SSTC) - is the next stage in providing a continuous dual carriageway between the A19, the city centre and the Port of Sunderland.

The route would also help open up more development sites and opportunities on the River Wear's south bank.

Subject to all the necessary permissions, it would run from the southern bridgehead of the New Wear Crossing through Pallion, Deptford and link into St Mary's Boulevard next to the Vaux site.

Documents for the application can be seen on the sunderland.gov.uk planning portal at: http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=OKPDJQBB00Q00​

The planned SSTC3 route starts at its west end from the approach to the New Wear Crossing, taking traffic from there around the Pallion Shipyard site and under the end span of the Queen Alexandra Bridge.

It follows the line of the existing Deptford Terrace alongside the Ropery before heading across Simpson Street to junctions with Beach Street and Trimdon Street West.

Eastwards from there the new dual-carriageway would overlay the existing Trimdon Street to modified roundabouts at Hylton Road and St Mary’s Boulevard.

Coun Paul Watson, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "This council is committed to improving our city's infrastructure and transport networks.

"Improvements and investments to our city's highways can all help to attract investment, growth and create new jobs.

"Following consultation on the SSTC3 last year, we are now into the planning application and further scrutiny of the plans.

"This is an important scheme for the city and this route can bring many traffic and regeneration benefits."

Subject to all the necessary permissions being received, construction works could begin in 2018.

The SSTC programme is in five phases:

Phase 1 - St Mary's Boulevard in the city centre (completed)

Phase 2 - New Wear Crossing (underway and scheduled for completion in spring 2018) and approach roads

Phase 3 - City centre and dual carriageway links

Phase 4 - Wessington Way improvements between the A19 and the New Wear Crossing

Phase 5 - St Mary's Boulevard to the Port of Sunderland