Sunderland City Council has confirmed the next phase of road resurfacing and safety improvements in its Annual Highway Maintenance Programme for 2025-26. The current programme is made up of over 200 schemes across the city.

These latest works started this week with resurfacing on Waskerley Road and Albany Village Centre in Washington. In addition, traffic‑calming measures will be installed on Ravenswood Road in Red House, after surveys showed that vehicle speeds were regularly exceeding the 20mph limit. These measures are expected to reduce speeds and improve safety for all road users.

Planning is also underway for the 2026-27 programme. This is shaped by a wide range of evidence-based decisions including road condition assessments, traffic volumes, public reports and accident data. As well as feedback from the city’s five Area Neighbourhood and Community Boards.

Funding for the next phase of works is part of a £12m highways budget allocation for ongoing maintenance, bridge works, and resurfacing on major routes and dozens of residential streets and roads.

Councillor Lindsey Leonard, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Net Zero at Sunderland City Council said:

“A safe, well‑maintained road network supports access to jobs, education, health services and local businesses, and helps give residents a real sense of place.

“Our continued investment in highways is a key part of delivering our City Plan and creating a dynamic, vibrant and healthy Sunderland. To identify where works are most needed, we look carefully at road condition data, traffic levels and feedback from councillors, residents and other road users. This ensures that our maintenance programme targets the areas that will benefit most.

“We remain committed to improving our transport network and ensuring that Sunderland’s roads are safe, accessible and fit for the future.”

(Picture: Mapillary)