£8.7m programme of work on 250 roads in Sunderland set to get go-ahead

Almost 250 roads and streets across Wearside have been earmarked for resurfacing, pothole repairs and other improvements by Sunderland City Council.

More than £8.7 million has been set aside for the programme, which includes an extra £931,000 in grants from the Government and the North East Combined Authority (NECA), on top of what city bosses had expected to spend.

Cllr Graeme Miller, the leader of the city council, said there are a range of areas considered when deciding on schemes to get funding.

He said: “This investment keeps our city moving and when we draw up our work schedules we have a rigorous prioritisation process that includes surface conditions, traffic volumes, road safety, and community feedback all influencing where and what sort of works are necessary.

“Our investment in school and 20mph schemes, footpaths and cycle paths bring further sustainability and environmental benefits too by helping to reduce congestion, air pollution, and supporting public transport and sustainable transport.”

The full programme of works for the 2021/22 financial year is due to be given the green light at next week’s (Tuesday, March 23) meeting of the council’s ruling cabinet, which will be held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

Of the 243 individual road schemes identified for city bosses, 20 have seen the start of work delayed due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, poor weather or other developments.

According to a report for councillors, plans to resurface the roundabout at Chester Road and Springwell Road had to be deferred for ‘covid, contractor commitments and resource issues’.

And further funding for resurfacing at the junction of Durham Road and Thornholme Road had to be ‘diverted’ to repair winter weather damage at the A195.

A series of bridge works are also proposed, including to the rail and Metro bridges in Tunstall Road; rescheduled works to A182 Washington Highway interchange and the A183 Harbour View Bridge.

A further 19 projects covering cycle lanes, 20 mph zones and permit parking areas are also due to be considered for the city.

Cllr Miller added: “This city council has always recognised that investing and maintaining our city’s highways and transport links are top priorities.”

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