Improvement works in Sunderland city centre are continuing with a £2.8m scheme to update the one-way system and bus routes.
Buses now have priority along Holmeside to Vine Place, and a new gyratory system turning traffic from Holmeside onto Maritime Street will open by the end of July, linking traffic on to Brougham Street next to The Bridges shopping centre. A clockwise gyratory system will return traffic to Holmeside in an easterly direction via Waterloo Place.
There will be a new bus gate to enforce the buses and taxis-only restriction on Holmeside and Vine Place, however this will not go live until all works to the highway in the area are complete. Work continues to provide major improvements to the south and west area of the new Sunderland Station to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
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This work will also help to link the station with new taxi ranks on Brougham Street, while the redevelopment of the train station is providing improved access for passengers and a modern new gateway to the city. All the Holmeside and station improvements are part of the city council’s continuing commitment to the City Plan for a more dynamic, healthy and vibrant Sunderland.
Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Dynamic City, Councillor Kevin Johnston, said: "This work is all about improving this busy district of the city centre while increasing accessibility and safety for residents, visitors and businesses. The new layout reduces congestion in the city centre, giving buses more priority and improving their journey times and reliability, and enhancing how pedestrians use this part of the city centre.
"Working closely with partners locally and nationally, we are investing in our city centre and working very hard to make us a 21st century city. The improvements in and around Holmeside are very much part of this bigger picture that is making Sunderland a more dynamic, healthy and vibrant city for everyone."
The scheme was funded by £1m from the City Council, regional transport funding of £1m and £0.88m from the national Transforming Cities Fund.
