Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor

Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor is a major infrastructure and multi-phase highways scheme that will open up and link the regeneration of a number of major sites that have been identified for development. Sunderland City Council recognised this scheme in their Unitary Development Plan. The SSTC programme has been split into a number of phases.

Phase 3 of the scheme which has been delivered by a multi-disciplinary Capita Real estate and infrastructure team provides the critical link in completing the continuous dual carriageway between the A19 and the City Centre and runs from the east end of the New Wear Crossing (Phase 2), which is currently under construction, to join the west end of St Mary’s Boulevard (Phase 1).

The phase comprises a new dual carriageway link between Phase 1 and Phase 2. Scheme includes:

• New 2.15km stretch of dual carriageway
• Number of new and substantial retaining wall structures
• Two new roundabouts and full street lighting
• CPO, SRO and Planning Permission
• Extensive new SuDS drainage system
• 6 new junctions including 2 new traffic signal controlled

“As a city, we cannot stand still. We have to develop and we have to invest in our infrastructure. The dual carriageway here is a long-term investment project from the council that has received widespread support in the city, in the region, and from the strong business case that we put to ministers and the Department for Transport.”

“The dual carriageway and the whole transport project corridor, including the magnificent Northern Spire, is about improving access across Sunderland and opening up more land that can be developed for housing and business.” Cllr Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council.

The overarching objectives for the SSTC programme are to:

• Enable development to be readily accessible by users of public and private transport, as well as by pedestrians and cyclists
• Provide for a strategic public transport corridor connecting the city centre and Washington
• Assist in the regeneration of the inner city, including the Port, the riverbanks and the housing regeneration area either side
• Improve the environmental and safety in areas currently adversely affected by heavy traffic flows or by lesser volumes of through-traffic in environmentally sensitive areas

The SSTC3 project is an integral part of the Council’s vision to ensure Sunderland is a place where people can fulfil their ambitions and potential. Key scheme benefits include:

• Improved opportunities for regenerating key riverside sites including Pallion, Deptford and Farringdon Row
• Reduced congestion alongside the new Wear crossing
• Improved access to the city centre and other key employment sites
• It will improve the city's public and sustainable transport network

We have successfully steered the project through Preliminary Design and Business Case, Public Consultation, Planning, Detailed Design and the Statutory Process. The Orders for the scheme comprising the CPO and SRO were the subject of a Public Inquiry where we acted as expert witnesses and presented evidence to an independent Inspector.

“Capita has applied robust quality, risk and cost management techniques throughout the delivery of the scheme from preliminary design through to tender. Their quality management systems have ensured the design has been delivered to a high standard. They managed the project budget throughout, prioritising cost and risk management through the implementation of well-developed plans.” Mark Jackson, Head of Infrastructure and Transportation at Sunderland City Council.

Secretary of State confirmed the Statutory Orders in December 2018. This outcome also coincided with a successful tender process for the project as well as a separate ‘Independent Gateway Review’. The SSTC3 was given a green light and the Delivery Confidence Assessment made it clear the project is ‘making excellent progress and is now in a good state of readiness to commence delivery’.

The project is now under construction and will take up to 27 months to complete. A collaborative Capita/ Sunderland City Council team are supervising construction of this complex multi-faceted highway infrastructure project which is scheduled to open in Autumn 2021.