Sunderland Council chiefs take steps toward new bridge

Apr 8 2009 by Paul James, The Journal

LEGAL steps are being taken to make sure nothing stands in the way of Sunderland getting its new bridge.

Regeneration chiefs are currently in talks with a number of landowners and businesses on either side of the River Wear whose property they need for approach roads.

The city council already owns some of the land it will need to link the new crossing to the road networks and is hopeful of agreeing fees for the remaining plots, while helping to relocate some companies.

But in case any of those talks are not successful, Sunderland Council is preparing to put in place a series of legal orders giving it permission to make the owners sell up.

Senior councillors will be asked at a meeting today to give staff the authority to acquire the land and make compulsory purchase orders.

The move comes as consultants are to be appointed to produce traffic models for the city and update the business case for the new Wear bridge, between Pallion and the A1231, for the Department for Transport.

Most of the land the council needs to buy is industrial, apart from a building on Hylton Park Road on the north side of the river that is used as a dental surgery and the offices for the Sunderland Enterprise Park management company, which council officers are helping with relocation. The council said negotiations are taking place with the owners and occupiers of all of the affected land and buildings and that “every effort” would be made to agree appropriate compensation.