Highways works supporting a housing development and retailers have been completed by Sunderland City Council.

Major improvements on and around the A183 Chester Road next to Gentoo's Chester Gate development site were started in summer 2019. The site is a gateway into Sunderland from the A19 and earmarked for hundreds of new homes.

The highways works have included a new signalised junction off the A183 to the west of the Greenwood Road roundabout and new access onto the development site.

The speed limit on the dual carriageway is now 30mph.

The City Council's Cabinet Member for Dynamic City, Councillor Rebecca Atkinson said: "New housing and retail developments can need new highway layouts and this is what the council's Infrastructure, Planning and Transportation team have completed here.

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"As a council we are determined to see more new housing brought to our city and we will continue working in partnership with those who can bring forward plans and schemes that make Sunderland more dynamic, healthy and vibrant for all residents."

The Chester Gate A183 improvements include:

• Removal of the subway under the A183 Chester Road

• Creating the new junction off the A183 Chester Road west of Greenwood Road

• New traffic signals for accessing and exiting for the site for both vehicles and pedestrians

• Speed limit reduced from 40mph to 30mph between Seven oaks Drive and Grindon Gardens

• No waiting or loading restrictions near the new junction

• New street lighting at the new junction.

The City Council's Assistant Director of Infrastructure, Planning and Transportation, Mark Jackson said: "The new limits and layouts make it safer for access and exiting the site, and for Chester Road drivers, pedestrians and all highways users. The scheme has been delivered on schedule and we look forward to seeing further development."