Wearmouth Bridge lane closures: Sunderland crossing to partially shut for four nights as work takes place

The night-time works are installing carriageway loops that detect vehicle movements and help traffic signals to manage traffic queues.

The four nights of work - Monday 22, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - will see loops on the bridge's southern side installed between 7.30pm and 5.30am.

The work is part of a new traffic scheme allowing all northbound traffic, including buses and taxis, into Bridge Street and then onto the bridge junction.

This revamped junction is being introduced later this year as part of the High Street West updates that started last month. Bridge Street will become a two-way route to include all traffic northbound as the existing one-way only system southbound is revoked. Southbound buses will continue to use the road into Bedford Street.

For next week's work, bridge traffic travelling north will be restricted to a single lane as it approaches and continues through the southern bridgehead junction. Pedestrians and cyclists are not being affected by the works.

Councillor Michael Mordey, Sunderland City Council's Portfolio Holder for City Services, said: "Very careful consideration has been given to the timing and phasing of the works, the safety of the workforce and the safety of the travelling public. To minimise any nuisance to local residents and businesses, works that could generate excessive noise will be completed before 11pm.

"While the council apologises in advance for any inconvenience, the council is very much committed to improving our city's highways network.

"This new northbound and direct route to the Wearmouth Bridge, is very much part of this commitment. Putting in the new loops means that traffic signalling for the approaches to the bridge becomes much more responsive to traffic volumes.

"The council is also preparing a works programme to re-model the junctions on the north side of the Wearmouth Bridge. This includes re-introducing two-way traffic into North Bridge Street and Dame Dorothy Street."

The Works have been divided into three phases:

Road Closures, Lane Closures and Diversions

Phase 1 (Provisionally Monday 22 / Tuesday 23 February 2016)

Location Direction / Movement Restricted Diversion Route

Wearmouth Bridge / Southern Bridgehead Southbound ahead into Bridge Street and right into St Mary's Boulevard West Wear Street eastbound to High Street West roundabout and back. (Bus Operators to use West Wear Street, High Street West)

West Wear Street / Bedford Street Eastbound right into Bedford Street West Wear Street, High Street West

West Wear Street / Southern Bridgehead Westbound right into Wearmouth Bridge St Mary's Boulevard westbound to St Michael's Way roundabout and back

St Mary's Boulevard Eastbound ahead into West Wear Street and right into Bridge Street Wearmouth Bridge, North Bridge Street, Roker Avenue, Church Street North, Dame Dorothy Street, Wearmouth Bridge

Phase 2 (Provisionally Tuesday 23 / Wednesday 24 February 2016)

Location Direction / Movement Restricted Diversion Route

Bridge Crescent / West Wear Street Bridge Crescent closed from Panns Bank to West Wear Street Use Wearmouth Bridge junction

West Wear Street / High Street West Northbound ahead (access only between High Street West and William Street) High Street West, Bedford Street

Bridge Street / Southern Bridgehead Bridge Street closed for its entire length St Mary's Boulevard, St Michael's Way, Stockton Road, Park Road Burdon Road, Fawcett Street

Lambton Street / Side Road at Casino entrance Lambton Street closed from side road at Casino entrance to West Wear Street Side road at casino entrance, William Street, West Wear Street, High Street West, Bedford Street.

St Mary's Boulevard / Pann Lane Westbound left into Pann Lane Manual control to maintain access for deliveries

Phase 3 (Provisionally Wednesday 24 / Thursday 25 February 2016)

Location Direction / Movement Restricted Diversion Route

West Wear Street opposite Bedford Street Eastbound from Bedford Street to William Street closed West Wear Street westbound from William Street to Bedford Street used for eastbound traffic flow