Sunderland community welcomes 'much-needed investment and development' in city as project hopes revealed

Aspirations to create a new footbridge over the River Wear have been praised by some Echo readers – but others have called for different investment in Sunderland to come first.
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The comments come as senior councillors prepare to discuss a range of city developments at a meeting later this month – including two separate visions for a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the River Wear, the redevelopment of Sunderland train station, a new multi-storey carpark at Farringdon Row and the future of the former Crowtree site.

Speaking ahead of the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, March 24, council leader Graeme Miller spoke of the local authority’s plans for “a more dynamic, healthy and vibrant Sunderland”.

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While many Echo readers welcomed the “fantastic” projects earmarked for the city’s future, some argued that they would like to see more work put into what Sunderland “already has” before developing something new.

Riverside Sunderland - moving into design stages.Riverside Sunderland - moving into design stages.
Riverside Sunderland - moving into design stages.

This is what you had to say on the Sunderland Echo Facebook page:

John Martin: “Great to see some much-needed investment and development in the city ... if only the football team could climb back up the leagues as the success of the club and city go hand in hand.”

Neil Cain: “As long as any type of bridge doesn’t prevent regeneration of River Wear-heavy industry.”

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Tony Prescott: “Fantastic! The improvements and projects across the city [are] impressive.”

Mark Thompson: “Walk down Blandford street or Holmeside … then tell us we need a footbridge with a footfall of 33 people a week.”

John Holmes: “Exciting times ... very best wishes to everyone working so hard to deliver the proposals.”

Jon P Bonallie: “Be great if both the new bridges could merge to give joint access from low level to high level. Designers give us a belter.”

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Lee Richardson: “I think they need to tidy up and sort out what we already have.”

Jude Dunn: “How many bridges does Sunderland want?”

Kris Day: “Make the town better and people will socialise there more.”

Scott Berry: “If they really want to turn the city around they should focus on enticing industries into the city.”