(09 Jul 2014, 6:50 pm)Brandon Stone wrote Does anyone know if the plans have changed at all since 2011 for the Wearmouth Bridge roundabout?

There is a plan on page 25 of 59 of the book (31 of 72 of the actual PDF).


It says that two-way traffic would be instigated on Bridge Street, which potentially allows buses direct access from Fawcett Street to the Wearmouth Bridge. While I like the idea in that buses may not have to traverse around High Street West, Bedford Street and West Wear Street, I'm wondering if the shorter / more direct route via Bridge Street would cause greater congestion in Fawcett Street, exaggerated possibly by long signal dwell times at the bridgehead junction. If the 8/20 continue to stay at the bottom end of Fawcett Street, and only the first bus stop used in Fawcett Street for the 19/23/E1/E2/E6 & 35, could the top two bus stops in Fawcett Street be discontinued, freeing up the road-space for two northbound exit lanes?

"Wearmouth Bridgehead Signalisation involves the conversion of the A1018 Wearmouth Bridge / A1018 West Wear Street / A183 St Mary’s Way roundabout to signal control. The scheme includes a new bus lane from Wearmouth Bridge southbound to West Wear Street southbound, a dedicated free-flow slip from Vaux Boulevard to Wearmouth Bridge northbound (hugely benefiting the Sunderland Connect 700/701!), and a revised layout at the junction of West Wear Street. This layout is presented in Figure 4-6."

Despite my reservations at the time, the Wheatsheaf gyratory changes have proved successful. Fingers crossed this scheme too won't serve any major traffic headaches upon completion!

(09 Jul 2014, 8:37 pm)JakeSavage wrote They're not opening up bridge street with these works.

The current works are to realign the lanes on the roundabout, and replace the life-expired/obsolete traffic signals with new ones.

(10 Jul 2014, 9:53 am)Michael wrote I wonder if we will ever get the traffic lights and dedicated bus lane on chester road near the broadway because it needs it!

Page 30 of that document Brandon shared.. it looks like they had plans to take the roundabout up near the stadium (where the current roundabout is), i also think this will help traffic.

(10 Jul 2014, 10:52 am)cbma06 wrote The Chester road super route got binned by the council

(14 Jul 2014, 12:59 pm)Michael wrote New bridge plans on display:

A six-week public consultation launched on Friday with interested parties now able to view them in various venues across the city.

Copies of the scheme and of the relevant plans and specifications can be seen until August 26, at the City Library in Fawcett Street and Kayll Road Library.

Objections should be submitted in writing to nationalcasework@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Full page here: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local/all-news/have-your-say-on-sunderland-s-new-wear-bridge-1-6728388

The red on the attachment is the bridge.. black is where i think other work will be carried out.


BTW it does look like a gentleman's sausage! haha

(14 Jul 2014, 4:40 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote I reckon there will be work to realign the road on the north side of the river - not only to assist with the traffic flow, but also to direct traffic towards the new bridge.

(15 Jul 2014, 3:14 pm)Dan wrote Anyone know what work is being done on Seaburn pier? There was trucks and cranes and stuff on there this afternoon.

(15 Jul 2014, 3:14 pm)Dan wrote Anyone know what work is being done on Seaburn pier? There was trucks and cranes and stuff on there this afternoon.

(15 Jul 2014, 3:27 pm)Michael wrote I think they are resurfacing it and fixing the railings etc due to the severe weather we had before, as it was badly damaged.

The pier will be closed for the time being, not sure how long it will be shut for

(17 Jul 2014, 12:31 am)Acky81 wrote Closed June-dec for repairs

(21 Jul 2014, 4:49 pm)Dan wrote It looks awful. Just past it for the first time since they've started knocking it down.

Anyone mad enough to visit Sunderland as a tourist destination certainly wouldn't make a return trip based on the state of the City Centre at present.

(21 Jul 2014, 4:54 pm)Michael wrote Very, they might as well knock the whole city centre down and start again...

(21 Jul 2014, 4:55 pm)Dan wrote St Marys Way is looking slightly more appealling as of late... just so I'm not revolving around negativity.

(22 Jul 2014, 9:22 am)Michael wrote Walking through the town, work ia speeding ahead on the new road to link the car park near crowtree.

Holmeside is a mess but looks better with no boarded up shops, didnt reliase how much space was around that area.

The new square is just the same, loads of work going on.

(22 Jul 2014, 10:07 am)cbma06 wrote came across this on the Web:

19 May 2014 25 December 2014 08.00-18.00 C554 High Street West and Crowtree Road outside the Londonderry Public House
ROAD CLOSURE for major highway improvements Millfield Sunderland City Council
Tel: 5611295

end date of 25 December 2014.

http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1397

(22 Jul 2014, 10:07 am)cbma06 wrote came across this on the Web:

19 May 2014 25 December 2014 08.00-18.00 C554 High Street West and Crowtree Road outside the Londonderry Public House
ROAD CLOSURE for major highway improvements Millfield Sunderland City Council
Tel: 5611295

end date of 25 December 2014.

http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1397

(22 Jul 2014, 10:13 am)Dan wrote Working on Christmas Day..? Oof!

Bridge was completely clear when I past it at 1050 - no traffic at all - quietest I've seen it in weeks.

(22 Jul 2014, 10:17 am)Michael wrote That's good, how was the work getting around the area?

(22 Jul 2014, 10:19 am)Dan wrote I couldn't see much as I was on the train, but there was no cars actually on the bridge at all (which were stationary). Everything was moving and the only cars which were stationary were at the lights.

Should be able to go out and see what it's like later when I hunt down 4968.

(22 Jul 2014, 10:20 am)Michael wrote Oh right, hopefully that work will be finished soon, that whole area is a mess.

I was in the town earlier for a hour, i didn't see 4968.

(22 Jul 2014, 11:12 am)Robert wrote It has been spotted out and about though so hes now on a mission and im sure it wont be long before he is satisfied

(22 Jul 2014, 11:18 am)Dan wrote Too right! I've been looking out for 4968 on the boards which are usually allocated the Solars (you pick that sorta stuff up when you live on the route), so it's clearly been escaping onto Merc-operated boards instead.

There's one part of the afternoon whereby all of the Solars usually appear within about 30 minutes of each other (in all directions) on Newcastle Rd.

Makes no difference to the average customer that 4968 isn't on one of these boards, but makes things harder for me!