Motorists warned of six-mile diversion as sliproad A19 and A690 roundabout is closed off for two weeks

As part of the ongoing improvements at the Sunderland junction, the sliproad will be closed for two weeks from 7pm Sunday, January 31, until 7pm on Sunday, February 14.

The closure is to allow Sunderland City Council to conduct drainage works at the entry to the A19 northbound entry slip road.

Vehicles travelling northbound on the A19 from the A690 will be diverted south on the onto the A19 and then will return northbound on A19 via the Seaham B1404 Seaton Lane exit – six mile round trip.

The council has said due to the national lockdown currently in place, there is a significant reduction in traffic at the junction, particularly at peak times, with the opportunity is being taken to undertake the work work when disruption to be minimised.

Once complete, the project will address the anticipated increase in traffic due to the expansion of housing developments in the South Sunderland Growth Area between Ryhope and Doxford Park.

Work to date includes an additional lane added to the A19 southbound exit slip road and westbound B1286 City Way.

Alterations to traffic signal equipment, street lighting, footways and landscaping within these areas are also near completion.

The current drainage works are being carried out to support an additional lane to be constructed on the A690 Durham Road eastbound entry to the junction.

Alterations to traffic signal equipment, street lighting, footways and landscaping will follow.

Portfolio Holder for Dynamic City, Councillor Rebecca Atkinson said: "This is a positive step towards the council’s long-term strategy for delivering the necessary infrastructure works to support the South Sunderland Growth Area.

“While the works may inconvenience some drivers and cause localised disruption, traffic numbers through the junction are currently lower than normal and arguably there is not a more opportune time to undertake this unavoidable and necessary closure."

Deputy Leader of the council, Councillor Paul Stewart said: "The South Sunderland Growth Area is a big part of our city's future as we address our housing needs across the city, and this work is necessary to deliver the road infrastructure and junction improvements needed for the developments.”

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