Planning permission has been granted to merge St Mary's Way and Livingstone Road in Sunderland City Centre to create a new tree-lined boulevard. This will make this route much more attractive and far better equipped to deal with the increasing levels of traffic this road will face when the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor is completed as a part of the new Wear Bridge and route to the Port in the East End. It's also to "prime" the Vaux site to attract private development as a new business district for the City Centre. The council think that private companies may be put-off developing Vaux if they have to shoulder the cost of the road layout improvements themselves; so Sunderland City Council are footing the bill themselves instead.

The boulevard, and the new Magistrates's Square on the site of the current roundabout, will sever the road link currently used by buses to access The Londonderry Hotel and Sunderland Empire Theatre.

The routes of these buses will be permanently changed as they become realigned to the new boulevard. Stagecoach service 8 City Centre - South Hylton, Stagecoach service 20 City Centre - Pennywell, Stagecoach services E1/E2/E6 South Shields - Sunderland; plus Go North East's X3, 9, 36 & 56 en-route to Park Lane Interchange. NexusBus 135/136 and Sunderland Connect 700 will also be diverted to travel along the full length of the new boulevard (701 doesn't currently serve Sunderland Empire Theatre / Londonderry Hotel anyway).

A dedicated bus lane will be included in the westbound direction, and will be served by routes 8, 20, E1/E2/E6, X3, 9, 36, 56 & 135. Only services 136 and 700/701 will travel in the eastbound direction, but these routes will still benefit from a dedicated bus bay and shelter.

For interest, I've enclosed a links to some images and a couple of site plans available from Sunderland City Council.

http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=6818

http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/Planning/St...cNo=695496&PageNo=1&content=obj.pdf

http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/Planning/St...cNo=695498&PageNo=1&content=obj.pdf

Advanced utility works are scheduled to start week commencing 14 January 2013. Details of the successful bidder to complete the works will be made in Spring 2013, with work on the new road starting in the summer. I'm led to believe that work on the new Magistrate's Square is supposed to start in Spring 2014 once the new boulevard opens, if my memory serves right.

Its a great idea, The road will be much better and have better access to top of the bridges (Primark) and to the vaux site, it looks great, what does it mean by utility works?

it looks like the road will be pushed out.

I think it's stuff like electricity, water, gas, sewer pipes/manholes that kind of thing. All has to be moved I guess...

I agree, it will be tonnes better!

(03 Jan 2013, 9:25 pm)Brandon wrote I think it's stuff like electricity, water, gas, sewer pipes/manholes that kind of thing. All has to be moved I guess...

ah right cheers, should be nice when its done, wonder how the road system will work once work starts on the road.

Lets hope the work on Fawcett street and that get done to

Fawcett Street - is this what you mean?

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-5151325

I can't remember if planning permission got granted for this or not. I hope it does. This should help reduce bus congestion a lot at the bottom of Fawcett Street, but I think the 12 will still have to stop there because it terminates on Fawcett Street and does the loop back around to Holmeside. I can't see why these works would cost £1 million though!

There were other plans to pedestrianise Fawcett Street a couple of years ago, heard nothing more about that idea though - http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local...-1-1110739

(03 Jan 2013, 9:41 pm)Brandon wrote Fawcett Street - is this what you mean?

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-5151325

I can't remember if planning permission got granted for this or not. I hope it does. This should help reduce bus congestion a lot at the bottom of Fawcett Street, but I think the 12 will still have to stop there because it terminates on Fawcett Street and does the loop back around to Holmeside. I can't see why these works would cost £1 million though!

There were other plans to pedestrianise Fawcett Street a couple of years ago, heard nothing more about that idea though - http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local...-1-1110739

Hmm i don't renember if it was granted or not but its a good idea, its best really if the 5/5A/10/11/39/42 all go straight down on to borough road, i think it is, where the 5/5A/10/11/18 or 19/39/42 come up towards Homeside

(03 Jan 2013, 9:41 pm)Brandon wrote Fawcett Street - is this what you mean?

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-5151325

I can't remember if planning permission got granted for this or not. I hope it does. This should help reduce bus congestion a lot at the bottom of Fawcett Street, but I think the 12 will still have to stop there because it terminates on Fawcett Street and does the loop back around to Holmeside. I can't see why these works would cost £1 million though!

There were other plans to pedestrianise Fawcett Street a couple of years ago, heard nothing more about that idea though - http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local...-1-1110739

The council are going to be sending the buses all the way up Fawcett Street then onto the bridge (but not anytime soon though), I think there will be doing that when there re organise the layout at Wearmouth bridge entrance, as there be taking the dreadful roundabout away and putting in traffic lights control instead, there was a map somewhere showing the diagram of the lighting system that there propose to put in, and there was also a map about taking away the roundabout at St Michaels way and Livingstone road, there should do something about the tiny roundabout at bottom of Hylton Road, there should take it away and have it traffic light control and widen the road at each end, and there could use some of the land next to Silksworth Row for widening the road better, so it would be better for the flow of traffic coming from the new bridge into city centre.

I uploaded a map of those junction improvements to the skyscraper city forums earlier this year - I'll try and find it again and upload it here.

---

The page I linked to in that forum can no longer be found. Fortunately, the same document has been saved under a slightly different URL though still not easy to find by any means. The PDF is too large to upload - so here's the link:

http://www.newsunderlandbridge.com/page-...ds/6-6.pdf

The new junction plans can be found on Pages 23-25 of 59 of the main report.

Road plans of the new bridge and associated link roads can be found from Page 4 of 42 of this report:

http://www.newsunderlandbridge.com/page-...s/6-14.pdf

I like the lay out for the roundabout to be taking up at the start of the bridge and changed to just traffic lights, think this would work but can u imagine the delays when the work is happening =(

i like the idea of buses being able to go straight down instead of going past the cinema, wasn't it like that years ago?

I know, the traffic would be horrendous during those works.

Fawcett Street was the route of the old A19 so had two-way traffic and opened directly onto the bridge. A few photos here all by Malcolm Fraser:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26081643@N05/6092667629/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26081643@N05/5855631225/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26081643@N05/5645847036/

And a photo by cbma06 - [attachment=1508]

A lot different now! It would be such an improvement to have buses operating directly on to the bridge again from Fawcett Street.

About the new bridge and SSTC - I particularly like this bit:

"Public transport priority measures are proposed, including upgrading the existing ‘at-grade four arm roundabout’ on the A1231 Wessington Way, to a four-way signalised junction with bus priority measures to improve journey times.

The new crossing would also provide the facility for a new rapid centre to centre bus service between Washington and Sunderland; and should street running trams be part of future transport provision, the bridge deck has been designed to accommodate such loadings.

The Project also includes proposals to upgrade the existing signalised roundabout to the south of the Wearmouth Bridge (St Mary’s Way/ Wear St/ Bridge St junction) to enable two-way bus movements along Bridge Street. This is currently a key route for buses and is restricted to southbound only. Northbound buses currently have to take a circuitous route to the Wearmouth Bridge via Bedford Street and Wear Street.

The redistribution of traffic from the existing crossings to the New Wear Crossing and the surrounding network could facilitate the future introduction of bus lanes on the Wearmouth Bridge."

It seems that the upcoming realignment of St Mary's Way is already fetching some serious enquiries for imminent development on the adjacent Vaux site which is great news -

"As I've talked about before, the council has invested significantly in the Vaux site already through remedial work and the realignment of St Mary's Way, and this investment has already led to some serious enquiries from businesses looking for a city centre base, including some we're hopeful could come to fruition in the very near future."

http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2108

=D that's great, hopefully when work is completed and last minute things being done, then people will look in to building on it

Latest from Sunderland Council -

We will continue to pursue the re-development of the above ground element of Sunderland Railway Station to enhance its appearance as a main gateway into the city. This will be undertaken in partnership with Nexus and Network Rail, with a view to works commencing during 2015/2016. Key activity during 2013/2014 will include site investigation works and the procurement of the construction work.

It better be impressive if it's going to take so long to get started!

I'd still prefer to have seen an integrated bus/metro/rail interchange on a part of the Holmeside Triangle though - (replacing Sunderland and Park Lane metro stations).

Know its got nothing to do with Buses etc but

http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=7754

The City Council today secured £2m from the Government's Coastal Communities Fund, which with £800,000 in Council match funding, will deliver further infrastructure works designed to pave the way for the long term development of the Ocean Park site and the seafront at Seaburn.

The City Council is currently seeking a development partner for the 7.37 hectare Ocean Park site which has been underused for a number of years and is also putting £800,000 of its own funding into the improvements at Seaburn as part of the scheme.

The £2.8m will support the delivery of essential infrastructure work, which in the long term will facilitate the comprehensive redevelopment of Ocean Park by a private sector developer, in line with the Seafront Regeneration Strategy and Seaburn Masterplan

The planned infrastructure improvements will include:
A second phase of promenade improvements
Improvements to Lowry Road behind Martinos to improve traffic flow
Environmental improvements to Cut Throat Dene to make it more attractive for wildlife and more of a natural play area in line with the Seaburn masterplan
Physical and environmental improvements to Whitburn Road including improved crossing points to improve the pedestrian environment, in line with views expressed during the 2009 seafront consultation

Great news, there's some designs on the page, would love to see the fairground redeveloped and opened

Haven't posted on here for a while so..


When does the work start on St Mary's Way for the new road layout, i looked on the first page with bidder annouced in Spring and work starting in summer... so my new question is... has any1 being found to do the work or will this be a delay, like normal?

Also

When is the work finished on Fawcett street/Burton road etc, it all most seems done, there doing gas works atm and the new road layout seems better.

Just googled it and found this http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-5332686

Not sure if there's any other developments

Edit: found this http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=6818

Cheers so its the summer its supost to start... Worst time.. Concerts at the stadium of light and the Sunderland airshow

Hopefully the new road will be done first then the old road will be shut or i can see it being a knightmare just like the wheatchef...

Yes, apparently the Summer it is...

I reckon there will be some sort of impact on all the summer's events.

Didnt know where to place it but Borough road has being completed just seen the number 10 stop at the bus stop thier.

Sure ive just read a sign for gas works on homeside from startbof next month... that will fun alright with st marys getting worked on..

A NEW “town” will be created with hundreds of jobs in a scheme reportedly worth more than £100m, after plans to build hundreds of homes along with a range of facilities were approved.

The huge investment by Esh Developments on land off Philadelphia Lane with see 630 homes built, along with a supermarket, petrol station, shops and a learning and enterprise centre.

There will also be improvements to listed buildings, including the former power station, and new roads, woodland, footpaths and cycle links.

Sunderland City Council’s planning and highways committee last night voted to allow the redevelopment of the Philadelphia depot and surrounding area, leading up to New Herrington.

source: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-5959100

My latest pic of the Crowtree Leisure Centre in Sunderland, sorry its not the best, the area was quite busy..

Such a shame to see a good place go.

(03 Dec 2013, 6:57 pm)Michael wrote My latest pic of the Crowtree Leisure Centre in Sunderland, sorry its not the best, the area was quite busy..

Such a shame to see a good place go.

Can't say I'm too disappointed myself. It's not a patch on the facilities at the Raich Carter centre, Aquatic, or what the new Washington Leisure centre will be.

(03 Dec 2013, 7:21 pm)aureolin wrote Can't say I'm too disappointed myself. It's not a patch on the facilities at the Raich Carter centre, Aquatic, or what the new Washington Leisure centre will be.

it was good before they closed the Pool, hopefully its developed on quicker than the Vaux..

Looks like a new bus stop has been built on the Vaux site.

When is this project meant to be finished again?

(07 Feb 2014, 8:09 am)Dan wrote Looks like a new bus stop has been built on the Vaux site.

When is this project meant to be finished again?

Its being up for a few months now, the first of the roads should of being open now but it looks like both will open together, i think it was end of this year when the road part should be completed

Signs say Oct 2014.

Looking at latest picture's of St Mary's , looks to be coming along good.

Latest pictures from the Skyscraper city thread - can be found here

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1006895&page=33 - opens on the last page - for latest pictures

The road works are a nightmare, hopefully the roads are completed soon so the work on the square can be started.

What actually happening here?

(19 Feb 2014, 10:55 am)CatsFast101 wrote What actually happening here?

The Crowtree is almost down - only the shell remains - The bridges has bought this by the papers, nothing confirmed yet from the bridges.


They making the road straight as possible for better access to the VAUX area with a dedicated bus lane on both sides, this allows traffic to flow better.

Here is a video, theirs no sound but it shows you what is happening and what months - although it looks like their gonna open both roads together instead of 1 at a time. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy5fAHrY_bo


Where the road is now around the Londonderry all that will be replaced by a new square, this will be untill the new road - http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-6149182


By the council once everything is complete.. the road and square, their are developers waiting to build on the VAUX site.

Best of watching the video and having a look though all the pages - http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1006895 - theirs 33 pages with pictures of the development from start to now.

(19 Feb 2014, 11:04 am)Michael wrote The Crowtree is almost down - only the shell remains - The bridges has bought this by the papers, nothing confirmed yet from the bridges.


They making the road straight as possible for better access to the VAUX area with a dedicated bus lane on both sides, this allows traffic to flow better.

Here is a video, theirs no sound but it shows you what is happening and what months - although it looks like their gonna open both roads together instead of 1 at a time. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy5fAHrY_bo


Where the road is now around the Londonderry all that will be replaced by a new square, this will be untill the new road - http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-6149182


By the council once everything is complete.. the road and square, their are developers waiting to build on the VAUX site.

Best of watching the video and having a look though all the pages - http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1006895 - theirs 33 pages with pictures of the development from start to now.

Thanks for that haven't really followed this thread!