Funding approved for road upgrades

Work to upgrade two city roads is expected to start by the summer after almost £5m funding was approved.

Durham Road and Chester Road in Sunderland will see a range of improvements after getting £2.5m and £2.4m respectively.

Works will include replacing Hastings Hill underpass with a new crossing point, a pedestrian crossing at Sunderland College's Bede campus and better bus shelters.

It follows a consultation last year where plans for bus lanes on both roads were rejected.

Cabinet member for environment, transport and net zero Lindsey Leonard said the Labour-led authority was looking at possible start dates in the spring or early summer.

"Works are focused on the elements that residents and responders told us about - enhancing road safety, improving accessibility, and upgrading infrastructure along the route," she said.

The revamp is being funded by the North East Combined Authority.

The A183 Chester Road will see:

• New traffic lights at Hastings Hill roundabout, including a controlled pedestrian crossing as an alternative to the existing underpass

• Improved pedestrian access to bus stops, with new carriageways and footway surfacing

• Better road markings at Grindon Mill roundabout for all traffic

• Improved paving at other junctions

Improvements along the A690 Durham Road include:

• Traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossing outside Sunderland College's Bede campus

• Introduction of zebra crossing outside of Sunderland Children's Centre

• Improved access to bus stops, with new road and footpath surfacing and road markings

• Changes to junction layout into Springwell Road to help for right turning traffic

• Better paving at other junctions, improving accessibility for all users to existing bus stops

Both roads will get updated bus shelters.

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