Traffic warning as Sunderland's Queen Alexandra Bridge closes for a week

The Queen Alexandra Bridge will be shut in both directions | JPIMedia

Drivers are being urged to plan alternative routes as one of the busiest roads into Sunderland city centre is closed.

A one-week road closure of Queen Alexandra bridge begins on Monday, January 27.

The Grade II listed bridge, which is 111 years old this year, closes to both north and southbound traffic from 5am on Monday.

Drivers are advised to use alternative river crossings, such as the Northern Spire and Wearmouth Bridge.

The closure is for an inspection of the bridge's structure that will record its current condition and recommend appropriate maintenance.

The bridge is due to reopen to traffic on Monday, February 3.

Following the road closure more survey works will be completed from the footways. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to cross the bridge throughout the inspection.

The last major works on the Queen Alexandra were in 2005-2006 when the deck was resurfaced and its steelwork refurbished and repainted