Sunderland road to remain shut after lighting columns fall in bad weather
The A1018 is closed with its junction with Ocean Road, along Saint Nazaire Way, off Salterfen Road and to the roundabout at the B1287 to Seaham.
The restriction has been in place since Wednesday, when Sunderland City Council advised drivers to avoid the Southern Relief Route after six of the 12 metre high lighting columns came down overnight.
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Hide AdTraffic is being diverted via Ryhope Road and Stockton Road, causing tailbacks earlier today as people returned to work following the weekend.
The council is putting together plans to fix the damage, but the repairs are yet to get under way.
Councillor Michael Mordey, cabinet member for city services on Sunderland City Council, said: "Six lighting columns on the Southern Relief Route came down overnight on Wednesday and another two fell the following day.
"The route between Ocean Road and Ryhope Dene was closed to traffic and remains closed as checks are completed on more than 150 columns.
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Hide Ad"Other coastal authorities in our region with similar lighting columns also suffered problems during last week’s severe winter weather.
"A programme of repairs is being finalised and traffic remains diverted via Ryhope Road."