A planning application to build a dual carriageway through the centre of Sunderland has been lodged. The multi-million-pound scheme would provide a continuous dual carriageway between the A19, Sunderland city centre and the Port of Sunderland.
It is hoped the scheme would open up more development sites and opportunities along the Wear’s south bank.
If the new road – which would be Phase Three of the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor (SSTC3) – is given the go-ahead, it would run from the southern bridgehead of the New Wear Crossing through Pallion and Deptford.
The road would then link into St Mary’s Boulevard next to the old Vaux site.
From the approach to the New Wear Crossing, the dual carriageway would take traffic around the Pallion Shipyard site and under the end span of the Queen Alexandra Bridge.
The route would follow Deptford Terrace alongside the Ropery before heading across Simpson Street to junctions with Beach Street and Trimdon Street West.
Heading eastwards from there, the dual carriageway would overlay what is now Trimdon Street before arriving at modified roundabouts at Hylton Road and St Mary’s Boulevard.
The leader of Sunderland City Council, Paul Watson, said, “The council is committed to improving our city’s infrastructure and transport networks. Improvements and investments to our city’s highways can all help to attract investment, growth and create jobs.”
“Following consultation on the SSTC3 last year, we are now into the planning application and further scrutiny of the plans.”
“This is an important scheme for the city and this route can bring many traffic and regeneration benefits.”
If the necessary permissions are all granted, work on the dual carriageway could start in 2018.
The Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor is scheduled to be rolled out in five phases:
Phase 1: St Mary’s Boulevard in the city centre (completed)
Phase 2: New Wear Crossing (construction is underway and is scheduled to be finished in spring 2018)
Phase 3: City centre and dual carriageway links
Phase 4: Wessington Way improvements between the A19 and the New Wear Crossing
Phase 5: St Mary’s Boulevard to the Port of Sunderland
