Concern over one-way bus plans for Vine Place and Holmeside

A Sunderland councillor is expecting a huge backlash from bus passengers as Sunderland Labour's plans for changing roads through the city centre will mean that thousands of people who get off the bus at Vine Place/TK Maxx won't be able to any longer.

Propposals being put forward by Sunderland Council will mean buses can only travel one-way (westbound from the Fawcett Street end) up Holmeside and Vine Place. The dozens of routes that currently drop people off at Vine Place will be diverted into Park Lane, then around past the old Civic Centre, down Burdon Road and onto Fawcett Street to continue their journeys.

However, Sunderland Council hasn't made this clear when announcing their plans to change road layouts in the city.

Lib Dem councillor for Grindon and Thorney Close Paul Edgeworth said:

"The Council's plans for this new road layout are all well and good but whether through cock-up or conspiracy they have spectacularly failed to let people know that this proposal would mean buses can only travel westbound up Holmeside and Vine Place.

"If this planning application is granted without asking bus users what they think then the Council will rightly face a big backlash from the hundreds of people who travel into the city centre each and every day who get off the bus at TK Maxx.

"When the changes come into force it will be too late to do anything about it which is why Sunderland Council should urgently consult with bus users, passengers groups and, crucially, disabled persons groups in the city before ploughing ahead with these changes. Walking from another stop or down from Park Lane interchange will be fine for most of us, but if you have disabilities or have a tough time walking then this could have a huge impact on you.

"Council bosses should be listening to local people, not trying to make big changes to bus routes on the quiet."