Maintaining and investing in city highways

Sunderland City Council's Cabinet backed the schemes at its meeting on Thursday 14 March. The highways and maintenance projects are being scheduled for the next 12 months.

The projects have been prepared following community consultation with councillors and residents, condition assessments and surveys, plus where necessary studies looking at traffic volumes or accident analysis.

An overall budget of £8.3m has been allocated for maintenance works over the next 12 months. It includes a grant from the Department for Transport of £525,000 from the Network North highway maintenance fund, this is funding transferred from the cancelled HS2 project and distributed to councils.

Alongside scheme design and works from the council, the majority of the road resurfacing is completed by specialist contractors.

Details of the projects are listed at: Cabinet report March 2024

Planned maintenance includes stretches of the city's key routes and junctions such as resurfacing on the A1018 St Nazaire Way and Stockton Road, stretches of the A690 Durham Road in Millfield, the A183 Whitburn Bents Road in Fulwell, the A182 Washington Highway and the A182 in Mill Terrace and Newbottle.

Projects delayed last year because of poor weather or contractor issues are being re-scheduled and programmed for completion.

The City Council's Cabinet Member for Dynamic City, Councillor Kevin Johnston said: "It's an ongoing task for the council to look very carefully at where it's necessary to maintain and invest in our highways and transport links, especially in the current economic circumstances.

"To help identify where works are necessary, we look at a lot of factors from road surface conditions and how much traffic there is, to consultation and feedback from residents, councillors, and other highways users.

"As we look to this maintenance and investment in helping to keep the city moving, we are continuing to press and lobby the Government for more sustainable investment in our highways and transport networks."

Bridges and structural works for the next year include Harbour View Bridge maintenance as part of the Dame Dorothy Street cycle way scheme, the A1018 Newcastle Road Bridge over rail and Metro tracks, and a third phase of works at the A182 Chartershaugh and Bonemill Lane bridges.

Cllr Johnston added: "The city's highway network and structural assets are integral to economic development and provide access to employment, education and other key services. A well-maintained, safe and accessible highway network is vital to a vibrant economy."