Success! Funding to replace Hastings Hill subway confirmed

Councillors in Sunderland are celebrating after a 10-year campaign to brick up a subway under a main road into the city has finally been signed off today (19 February).

The North East Combined Authority has approved Sunderland City Council’s plans to use money from the previous Government’s Bus Service Improvement Project to fill-in the Hastings Hill subway between Grindon and Pennywell and replace it with a safe, ground-level pedestrian crossing.

The underpass is the only way for residents to cross from one side of the A183/Chester Road to the other and access bus stops and the local supermarket.

But many local residents in the Grindon and Hastings Hill area have refused to use the subway due to constant vandalism and anti-social behaviour, often resorting to using taxis or buses to make the short journey – or risking running across 4 lanes of speeding traffic.

Commenting on the announcement, Lib Dem councillor for Grindon and Hastings Hill Paul Edgeworth said:

“This subway from hell has been a total disgrace for years with local people avoiding it like the plague to avoid being attacked by vandals or having to wade through huge amounts of litter, urine and worse.

“After 10 years of campaigning with the local community, we have finally forced Sunderland Council into allocating the funding for a desperately needed replacement. A new ground-level pedestrian crossing will be a gamechanger for local people helping them get to the bus stop into town and to local shops without taking their life in their hands.

“Local Lib Dem councillors are urging Council bosses to get on with the planning and procurement so work can begin on this new pedestrian crossing as quickly as possible this year.”