Sunderland will begin safety improvements on St Mary’s Boulevard next week, enhancing road, pedestrian, and cycling safety for the community.
The work will focus on the area next to the St Mary’s multi-storey car park and the Holiday Inn hotel. One eastbound lane will be adjusted to widen the shared footway for pedestrians and cyclists. This change aims to reduce conflicts at the multi-storey’s entrance.
The project kicks off on Monday, February 3, and will take about eight weeks. Work will happen after peak hours to minimize disruptions.
After this, a second phase will target the westbound side of the boulevard. This will create a taxi lay-by and enhance connections for pedestrians and cyclists at key crossing points. This phase will also last around eight weeks, with completion expected by June.
Councillor Lindsey Leonard from Sunderland City Council highlighted the importance of these changes. She noted that as Riverside Sunderland develops, more people will be visiting and living in the area.
With new attractions like the Maker and Faber footbridge and Culture House opening soon, foot traffic is set to increase. The city is also preparing to host the women’s rugby World Cup, which will bring even more visitors.
Traffic management will be in place during the work to ensure safety for both workers and the public.
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