SUNDERLAND City Council is reminding drivers to complete and return their traffic survey cards.
The council conducted a major survey on Wednesday 23 September to help gather information for plans to improve the city’s road network with a £45m dual-carriageway.
The survey was held at five strategic points in the city’s road network as part of Government funding requirements towards the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor Phase 3 (SSTC) dual-carriageway project.
SSTC is a dual-carriageway link between the A19 and the Port of Sunderland.
SSTC Phase 3 is the critical link completing the continuous dual-carriageway between the A19 and the city centre. The dual-carriageway route is planned for Pallion, Deptford and Farringdon Row into the city centre and to then link with St Mary’s Boulevard.
Councillor Michael Mordey, the City Council’s Portfolio Holder for City Services, said:
“We all want to see improvements to our road network to help drive forward more investment, to create jobs and to help with travel across our city.
“To get this work done, Central Government advises we have to complete comprehensive traffic surveys.
“The surveys help understand driver journeys and is a requirement from Central Government. The Government says it has to be done.
“The information helps funding approvals from the Government as the council submits further analysis of how and where drivers make their journeys.
“We are gathering information now and would remind everyone to please return their surveys by post or to use the online link.
“The council understands the delays that were caused, takes responsibility for it, and apologises for the inconvenience. The survey reflected the size and importance of plans for the city’s road network.
“There are no plans at present for another major survey. Please return your survey information as it all helps with plans to update our road network with this new dual-carriageway.”
The traffic survey consisted of a roadside interview element (Origin and Destination as well as purpose of journey information).
More than 35,000 survey cards were distributed.
A provisional allocation of £40.5m funding for the SSTC Phase 3 has been made through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s Strategic Economic Plan and Local Growth Deal allocation. A further £5m will be contributed by the City Council.
The scheme is designed to improve opportunities for regenerating key riverside sites including Pallion, Deptford and Farringdon Row. Alongside the £100m New Wear Crossing project, it will reduce congestion, improve access to the city centre and other key employment sites.
Further planning for the SSTC Phase 3 is underway with works earmarked for 2017 and completion in 2019.
More details about SSTC Phase 3 are at: http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/
The five survey points were all to the east of the A19. They were at: the Wearmouth and Queen Alexandra bridges, the A1231 Wessington Way, A1290 Washington Road, and the A183 Chester Road.