Diversions because of burst water main

The diversions in north Sunderland are because of repairs to a burst water main and reconstruction of the damaged road.

The water main, located between the Northern Spire and Queen Alexandra Bridge junctions with Wessington Way, burst beneath the westbound carriageway on Wednesday afternoon.

Engineers from Northumbrian Water have been working overnight and repairs are continuing over the weekend.

The closure affects drivers leaving the Stadium of Light on Saturday and they should follow the diversions in place via Northern Way, North Hylton Road and Castletown Way. The diversion is expected to remain until Tuesday 16 August when resurfacing works are completed.

The City Council's Cabinet Member for Dynamic City, Councillor Kevin Johnston said: "The City Council and Northumbrian Water are working to minimise disruption but safety is paramount and, as well as engineers repairing and replacing the main, we must ensure everything is safe for the mains load bearing.

"Work is continuing over the weekend to have this busy section of one of our key roads back open as soon as we can."

Davey Stobbart, Water Network Regional Manager at Northumbrian Water, said: "We got the main fixed quickly and peoples' water restored but due to size of the burst it caused a fair amount of damage to the road. We're really sorry for any issues this causes motorists but be assured we're working as quickly and safely as we can to get it opened as soon as possible."