Council chiefs have vowed there will be no repeat of the “anger and disruption” facing motorists following the closure of a city centre road across the upcoming busy bank holiday weekend.

St Mary’s Boulevard, running between Silksworth Row and the Wearmouth Bridge, in Sunderland, is now closed until Tuesday, September 1, at 6am to safeguard thousands of music lovers attending the In The Square Summer Series of concerts.

Events take place daily in Keel Square from Friday through to Bank Holiday Monday following a first round of performances last weekend.

But this Sunday’s concert and road closures – other streets in the area will also be shut – coincide with Sunderland football club’s first Premier League home game of the season at 2pm against Fulham.

St Mary's Boulevard, in Sunderland, is closed to traffic now until September 1.

placeholder image — St Mary's Boulevard, in Sunderland, is closed to traffic now until September 1.

Fans who would usually cross Wearmouth Bridge in cars from the south of the city face diversions through the East End, turning right across the bridge from West Wear Street, or via the Queen Alexandra Bridge.

The closure will also affect non-football traffic heading to the sea front over the holiday weekend.

While praising the concerts as “a fantastic opportunity to showcase Sunderland as a vibrant destination for live events”, Councillor Ciera Hudspith, Reform UK’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and heritage at Sunderland City Council, urged people to allow extra time for their journeys.

She said: “With the August Bank Holiday weekend and Sunderland AFC's first home match of the season also taking place during this period, we're expecting the city to be particularly busy.

Motorists are warned about the closure of St Mary's Boulevard.

“We'd encourage visitors to plan their journeys in advance, make use of public transport where possible and allow extra time for travel so they can enjoy everything the city has to offer.”

Her party, however, went further in a statement distancing Reform UK from the decision to close St Mary’s Boulevard.

Reform UK said they had inherited the situation from the previous Labour administration, which was voted out of power in May, and has also promised a “fundamental review” of how major events and road closures are handled in the future.

The statement said: “We are acutely aware of the anger and disruption caused by the closure of St Mary’s Boulevard. Residents are right to be frustrated.

Spectators packed Keel Square, in Sunderland, for the first weekend of In The Square Summer Series of concerts.

“We want to be absolutely clear: Reform did not plan this event or sign off these arrangements.

“The event, including the decisions which have resulted in the road closures, were planned and committed to under the previous Labour administration through the council’s existing processes.

“By the time the new Reform administration inherited the situation, significant financial commitments had already been made, tickets had been sold and both event weekends have now sold out.

“Cancelling now would risk substantial cost to taxpayers while disappointing thousands of ticket holders.”

Sunderland fans heading to the Stadium of Light for Sunday's home game against Fulham face diversions. Photo by Chris Fryatt.

The statement added: “Labour’s poor planning created this situation. Reform has been left to deal with the consequences and we will make sure this never happens again.”

Labour hit back by saying: “Reform cannot pass the buck forever. At some point, they have to own up to the fact they are running this council and take responsibility.

“Under Labour, Sunderland was on the up, with investment and regeneration delivering for local people.

“Reform now has control and they need to stop blaming others and start taking responsibility for their decisions.”