Sunderland junction closed permanently due to drivers dodging traffic lights

The junction from Viewforth Terrace onto A1018 Newcastle Road in Southwick is set to be permanently closed to motorists from Tuesday, December 22.

A trial closure of the junctions, which aimed to stop drivers using it as a route to avoid the traffic signals from Thompson Road, began in September 2019.

The road will now be closed, with new signs and road markings put in place to stop motorists turning on to the street, and residents of the street will now exit the area by joining Thompson Road.

As part of the works to close the road, improvements have been made to the entrance to Viewforth Terrace from Newcastle Road and to the exit from Viewforth Terrace onto Thompson Road.

The trial closure was put in place after Sunderland City Council received a number of reports of vehicles using Viewforth Drive and Viewforth Terrace to access A1018 Newcastle Road from Thompson Road, while avoiding the signalised Grange junction.

Residents had complained that the use of the street to avoid the signalised junction at Thompson Road and Newcastle Road was causing a large number of vehicles to enter the area, causing difficulty for all highway users, particularly pedestrians and visitors to the nursery which is on Viewforth Terrace.

They also raised concerns about the large volume of traffic in the street.

The decision, agreed by the council’s Planning and Highways Committee, has been welcomed by ward councillors and residents.

The City Council's Cabinet Member for Dynamic City, Councillor Rebecca Atkinson said: “I am pleased that this temporary closure has now been made permanent. We saw from the trial closure of Viewforth Terrace that this improves conditions for residents of the street, and the reduction of traffic has a positive impact on vulnerable and mobility impaired road users like the elderly and children.

“This is an excellent example of residents working with the council to make improvements in their local area increase safety for all highway users.”

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