Ryhope Doxford Link Road- FAQs What is South Growth Area? The area of land which makes up the South Sunderland Growth Area (SSGA) has been seen as a future growth area for the city for many years now. SSGA lies between Doxford Park and and is made up of 4 development sites commonly known as Chapelgarth, Land North of Lane, Cherry Knowle and South Ryhope. There are a number of smaller peripheral dwellings that also form part of the growth area.

Plan 1- SSGA Location Plan

The area has the potential to provide approximately 3,000 new homes and meet 20% of the City’s future housing need. SSGA will see the development of a new community, along with the housing development there will be: • Over 50ha of greenspace/ parkland • A new two form primary school • Extension of two existing schools • Completion of the Ryhope Doxford Link Road • Wheeled play facility • Four play parks • 3g pitch • Multi purpose playing field • Allotments • Small retail centre • Community facilities • Extensive footpaths and cycleway • Affordable Housing • Family & Executive Housing

What are the proposals for the Ryhope Doxford Link Road (RDLR)? The Ryhope Doxford Link Road (RDLR) runs along the southern boundary of the built up area of Tunstall and Ryhope, linking Ryhope to the A19 with Tunstall and Doxford Park in the west and linking Doxford Park to the Southern Radial Route which provides enhanced access from the City Centre to the A19 in the south. Parts of the road are already in place, with only two sections left to be constructed. The link from Burdon Road to the roundabout at the bottom of Venerable Bede school will be implemented (subject to planning approval) by the developers of Land North of Burdon Lane. The other link, the ‘missing link’ from the roundabout at Highclere Drive through the Cherry Knowles site is the link being brought forwarded by the council and a planning application is currently being prepared, which this consultation relates too. Plan 2- Proposed and Existing Local Road Network

How fast will the road be? The road will be 30mph, which is considered an appropriate speed for the area and its surroundings What will happen where the RDLR ‘missing link’ crosses Burdon Lane? For gradient and amenity reasons, the ‘missing link’ will be in a cutting where it crosses Burdon Lane and as such a bridge will be necessary. The bridge will be for non-motorised users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. Burdon Lane will be severed at this point and become a multi-user route.

Why is Burdon Lane being severed and why can’t the bridge be for vehicles as well? Burdon Lane is a known hotspot for accidents, particularly in the stretch beyond Burdon Road, where the Lane becomes narrower. Providing vehicular access via a bridge where the road is severed to facilitate the RDLR, will not address the roads narrow width and risk of accidents. The Lane is exactly what it is described as, a ‘lane’, and is no longer appropriate for the number of vehicles currently using it, which will in time increase further as a consequence of the proposed SSGA residential developments. The RDLR provides a suitable alternative safe route.

This is going to add to my journey times It potentially will, but not significantly. Historically, Burdon Lane was not designed for the numbers of vehicles using it, it floods, it is narrow, there is no provision for pedestrians or cyclists and it is an accident hotspot. These issues will intensify with increased vehicular usage as a consequence of the South Sunderland Growth Area. The council considers that a slightly longer, but safer journey is a preferred alternative to a shorter but potentially more hazardous journey.

Diverting traffic from Burdon Lane will increase traffic on the A690/ A19 Way, Doxford Park Way/ City Way and local road network. The completion of the Ryhope Doxford Link Road and the severing Burdon Lane is one in a package planned road improvements to the local road network in the area to facilitate the South Sunderland Growth Area. Works have already commenced on a 2-phase project to the A690/A19 junction. A19 Southbound slip road widening, and City Way junction widening was completed in December 2020 and Phase 2 of the works, A690 Eastbound approach widening is due to be complete by April 2021. Highway Improvements are also proposed to City Way, to dual the remaining sections of single carriage highway and Seaton Lane, Durham.

What will the bridge be like? The footbridge/cycleway to be continued along Burdon Lane is to be carried by a new bridge above the new road that will be in a cutting. The proposed form will be curved steel trusses to either side of the deck reducing the overall depth of structure and providing a lighter cleaner visual appearance. The main span of the bridge will be 33.5m with two side spans of 20m. The bridge will also be designed to accommodate horse-riders. Below is an example of what the bridge might look like.

Who is paying for all of this? As a council taxpayer, I don’t think this is best use of the council’s money. All the highway improvement discussed above and the delivery of the RDLR ‘missing link’ are being funded by the developers of South Sunderland Growth Area and from the £25 million the council has successfully secured from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government Housing Infrastructure Fund.

What is the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)- Housing Infrastructure Fund? The Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) was set up by MHCLG. The HIF is a government is a funding programme of up to £2.3 billion for physical infrastructure projects directly linked to unlocking residential development sites, with the aim of delivering up to 100,000 new homes in . In March 2020 after a competitive bidding process, the council was awarded £25.4 million to bring forward infrastructure to facilitate SSGA.

When will construction of RDLR commence and how long will it last for? Subject to planning approval construction of the RDLR is programmed to commence in Autumn 2021 and be complete by Autumn/Winer 2022

I live nearby and this is going to be noisy and messy work for over a year. Every effort will be made to minimise amenity impacts on the existing community. Compounds will be located in the least sensitive areas. As part of the planning application it will be necessary to prepare Construction Environmental Management Plan. A construction environmental management plan outlines how a construction project will avoid, minimise or mitigate effects on the environment and surrounding area. The document will be considered by the Local Authority Environmental Health Department.

Are there any plans to make Burdon Road for buses only? No, there are no plans to do this. There had been a proposal to introduce a bus only corridor by Ruswarp Drive, however in response to previous public consultation the council are no longer proceeding with this proposal. Instead there are plans to introduce signage by Ruswarp Drive to promote the use of RDLR and discourage traffic from alternative routes.

What will happen with my comments? All comments will be considered and where appropriate amendments will be made to the development proposal. It should be noted this is pre-planning public consultation. Once a planning application has been formerly submitted there will be an opportunity to submit a formal response to the Local Planning Authority.