Updates for the A183 Chester Road and A690 Durham Road
Improvements for two key city roads are being prepared after a major engagement exercise.
Ideas for changes were suggested along the A183 Chester Road and the A690 Durham Road.
They included possible bus priority corridors between the A183 Chester Road/Hastings Hill junction to the Chester Road/Wavendon Crescent junction. Bus priority corridors were also suggested for sections of Durham Road from the A690/A19 interchange to the Barnes Gyratory.
The council encouraged feedback through letter drops, social media and bus stop advertising, to give residents, local groups and businesses the opportunity to respond in writing and online. A total of 585 responses were received before the engagement closed in March.
Feedback and responses did not support the bus corridor. The council is now focusing improvements on what residents said they valued the most and schemes are being prepared.
The City Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Net Zero, Councillor Lindsey Leonard said: "This is why we have engagement: to receive the views of residents and interest groups and this all informs further decision-making. Thanks to everybody who took part because hearing from you has helped shape the improvements that we are now looking at."
Improvements would include:
A183 Chester Road
- New traffic lights at Hastings Hill roundabout, including a controlled pedestrian crossing as an alternative to the existing underpass
- Improvements to Greenwood Road roundabout
- Improved pedestrian access to all bus stops, with new carriageway and footway surfacing
- Installing more modern bus shelters
- Improved road markings at Grindon Mill roundabout for all traffic to reduce existing conflict
- Improved paving at other junctions, improving accessibility for all users to existing bus stops
More details on Chester Road are at: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/bsipchesterroad
A690 Durham Road
- Traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing outside Bede College Campus
- Introduction of zebra crossing outside of Sunderland Children's Centre
- Improved access to bus stops, with new road and footpath surfacing and road markings
- Installing more modern bus shelters
- Changes to junction layout into Springwell Road to help for right turning traffic
- Improved paving at other junctions, improving accessibility for all users to existing bus stops.
More details on Durham Road are at: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/BSIPDurhamRoad
Cllr Leonard said: "While two proposed bus priority lanes formed part of the original plan, feedback made it clear that these were not supported. We have absolutely listened to residents and everybody who contributed to the engagement, and as a result, we will not be introducing those bus priority lanes.
"Instead, we are focusing funding on the elements that residents and responders told us about - enhancing road safety, improving accessibility, and upgrading infrastructure along the route."
The improvements are anticipated to have a budget allocation of £4.9m to £5m and be funded through a combination of regional transport and highways grants, and the council's highways budget. Works on the first set of improvements can be expected to begin in 2026.
Ideas for tackling congestion at the Springwell Road/Chester Road (The Broadway) roundabout had been examined with traffic modelling before the engagement. Using traffic survey data and independent modelling, it showed that signal controls would increase congestion and delays for all road users. Further works to explore how traffic movement could be improved at the roundabout and how to bring benefits for all highways users will be undertaken.
Details of the roundabout modelling and studies can be viewed on the Chester Road information pages: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/bsipchesterroad
The council regularly holds public engagement exercises, such as with the recent naming of Keel Crossing, that sees residents having a say in shaping the future of the city.
Cllr Leonard added: "This council is committed to listening, acting and investing where our residents tell us it matters most. These improvements reflect our values of transparency, accountability, and community first governance."
