Underpass at Sunderland's University Metro station set to reopen after a six-month closure due to fire

The subway under A690 Durham Road, which links the University Metro station with the nearby Thornhill and Ashbrooke areas, has been closed after a fire in the area caused damage and forced it to shut for repairs.

Shortly after 8.50pm on Monday, January 20, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a fire near to the University Metro station in the city.

Fire crews and a targeted response vehicle from Sunderland Central Fire Station were sent to the scene where the blaze was located in the underpass between the Metro station and Victoria Court.

Since then, the underpass has not been accessible to members of the public while the repair work has been carried out to make it safe.

Sunderland City Council has now provided an update on the ongoing work and revealed that the underpass could be reopened from as early as next week.

Council repair workers are currently installing new lighting into the subway and once that is complete, members of the public will be able have access to it again.

A spokesperson for Sunderland City Council told the Echo: “New lighting is currently being installed in the underpass at University Metro station, which is due to be completed early next week.

“The subway will reopen as soon as this work is complete.”

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