(23 Feb 2017, 5:23 pm)Andreos1 wrote *looks around, quickly posts and dodges back out*

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/plans-been-lodged-major-dual-12646979

Plans for new road submitted.

(15 Mar 2017, 8:42 pm)AIG20 wrote Watch new bus route open in Sunderland city centre = Sunderland Echo

(17 Mar 2017, 7:15 pm)Michael wrote Planning app gone in for a Aldi at the old dewhirst site

Planning » Planning Application Documents
17/00417/FUL | Erection of a foodstore with associated vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access, car parking and landscaping | Former Dewhirst Factory Pennywell Industrial Estate Sunderland SR4 9EP


http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/PlanDM/StreamDocPage/obj.pdf?DocNo=1058872&PDF=true&content=obj.pdf

(18 Mar 2017, 1:59 am)Andreos1 wrote Not sure if it's been mentioned previously, but a Marston's pub is going to take up some of the land too. There's been rumours of a KFC, but haven't seen anything official.

Image captionPaige Audsley thinks her prospects in Sunderland are "pretty good"
Twenty five years after Sunderland became a city, there are plans to revive its fortunes with a bid to be UK City of Culture in 2021. But as statistics show just over 600 people aged 16-19 left the city last year, BBC News has been speaking to some young people to find out their hopes for the future.

"For me, Sunderland seems to be expanding and getting bigger and better," 17-year-old Paige Audsley, an apprentice painter and decorator, said.
"I'm proud of my job and what it means to the city. I came off site yesterday having painted a load of new homes, which are bringing new people into the city.
"We've had a new college built, the city centre is being transformed and, as a young person living in Sunderland, I think my prospects are pretty good".

Her view of her future in Sunderland is positive, but the statistics suggest there are challenges in terms of job prospects for young people in the city and the number of teenagers who are leaving.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionSunderland became a city in 1992
According to data gathered by the Office for National Statistics just over 600 16 to 19-year-olds left Sunderland last year - more than double the average departure count of 246 for all 326 local authorities in England.

And with just 208 16-19 -year-olds arriving, Sunderland is now one of only five cities in England - along with Carlisle, Hull, Portsmouth and Stoke - where the number of residents aged 65 outnumber those aged 16.

In addition, the average unemployment rate for 16 to 19-years-olds in Sunderland has stood at 36% over the past three years, compared to 24% across the UK.


As a general rule of economics, cities with youthful and dynamic workforces tend to be richer and more prosperous places.
When compared to other cities across northern England, Sunderland economically has found itself lagging behind.

That picture is reflected in the concerns of 17-year-old Adam Gorzelanczyk.
"The whole economic picture of Sunderland is uncertain at the moment," he said.
"There are lots of jobs in retail, but little else. For most people my age the only thing that is keeping them here is their family".

Image copyrightADAM GORZELANCZYKImage captionAdam Gorzelanczyk would like a career in social work
Adam dreams of having a career in social work, a sector traditionally funded through grants from local councils. But budget cuts have meant he and many others can no longer look to the public sector for employment.

"I now think of myself as a entrepreneur," Adam said. "I want to run my own youth project, but to achieve that dream I think I'm going to have to become self-employed.
"I'm proud of the city that I live in, but if I can't achieve my dream here I would consider leaving Sunderland."

The city's growth aspirations, however, do not lack for a want of effort.

There are investments being made in Sunderland that are worth more than £1.5bn and the city has launched a bid to become the UK's City of Culture in 2021.
There may be a steady flow of young people leaving, but the data also shows those who leave are not venturing very far - with Leeds, York and Middlesbrough among the most popular destinations.

Close enough to home, perhaps, to move back once Sunderland's revival is complete?

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionSunderland is bidding to be the UK's City of Culture in 2021
Throughout the week beginning 27 March BBC News will be telling the stories of young people in Sunderland online and on social media.

(22 Jun 2017, 5:14 pm)Michael wrote Joplings has changed from a hotel to Retail, student accommodation.

7/01201/FUL | Sub division of existing ground floor retail floor space into 3no. retail units (Use Class A1), with the conversion of the upper floors, including additional floor space to fourth floor, into 178no. student bed accommodation (Sui Generis) with external alterations. | Former Joplings John Street City Centre Sunderland SR1 1DP

(10 Oct 2017, 6:48 pm)Michael wrote End in sight for New Wear Crossing roadworks after two years

(14 Nov 2017, 3:34 pm)Dan wrote Eastbound, the Wessington Way has now returned to two lanes.

The roadworks are still in place westbound, but looked like they were being taken down as I drove past, around 10 minutes ago.

The speed limit has been reduced to 40mph on the approach to the junction which will provide links over the new Wear Crossing - not sure if this is permanent or whether it returns to the 70mph speed limit once everything is completed.

(14 Nov 2017, 5:14 pm)cbma06 wrote 70mph?, only road that's nearby to do 70mph is the A19, wessington way is a max of 60mph. Even the A690 from doxy park roundabout to Durham is a mixture of 60mph and 50mph and no 70mph.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(14 Nov 2017, 5:28 pm)Dan wrote Yeah, 70mph to my knowledge (i.e. national speed limit)? It's a dual carriageway - there's a dividing strip in between the roads (which both have two lanes). Signposted as national speed limit along the road.

A690 between Doxford Park and Durham is signposted as 50 and not national speed limit.


"The A1231 becomes a national speed limit dual carriageway 'Wessington Way' passing through the southern edge of Southwick, Castletown and Hylton Castle. To the south, the Hylton Riverside retail park is parallel to the road. Along this section a park and ride scheme operates on matchdays for visitors to the Stadium of Light."

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A1231_road

"The national speed limit is 70 mph (112 km/h) on motorways, 70 mph (112 km/h) on dual carriageways, 60 mph (96 km/h) on single carriageways and generally 30 mph (48 km/h) in areas with street lighting (restricted roads)."

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_speed_limits_in_the_United_Kingdom

(22 Nov 2017, 9:50 am)Michael wrote The shortlisted names for the New Wear Crossing have been revealed.

The public can vote on the three titles, that a panel of judges have chosen to name the bridge, connecting Pallion to Castletown.


https://www.sun-fm.com/news/local/2435609/the-new-wear-bridge-name/