£2.3m plans for next stage of seafront improvements
New play equipment, an improved layout and work to encourage wildlife are among £2.3million plans for the next stage of improvements at Sunderland’s seafront.
Sunderland City Council has already ploughed more than £10million into Roker and Seaburn in recent years as part of efforts to make the best of one of the city’s key natural assets – its stunning coastline.
Now senior councillors on the city’s ruling cabinet are due to vote through more than £2million for the next stage. This will see: Along Whitburn Road: Public Realm upgrades to the western footway (Ocean Park frontage), including visual improvements to the pumping station on the corner of Dykelands Road, and new east-west pedestrian links.
At Cut Throat Dene: ‘Soft landscaping’, biodiversity i m p rove m e nt s a n d n ewequipped play facilities.
Councillor Rebecca Atkinson, cabinet member for Dynamic City, said: "The seafront is all part of the bigger picture for a more dynamic, healthy and vibrant Sunderland.
"The city council has invested significant sums in the seafront and strengthened the seafront's appeal for residents and visitors. These improvements are very much a continuation of what's already being achieved and admired. "By improving the look and feel of the seafront, we also attract private investment. This next round of investment can further strengthen our seafront's appeal."
The cabinet will meet next Tuesday, and members are recommended to approve the fundingsomoredetailedplans and tenders can be prepared. Previous seafront landscaping and infrastructure works, such as new seafront planting and paving, have all helped attract visitors, new businesses and won design awards. As well as the STACK development on the site of the former Seaburn Centre, a 40-bed inn and family restaurant is now being built, and a new car park is being
prepared for land at the bottom of Dykelands Road, alongside other developments. The landscaping, street and support works will complement the developments.
The report to the Cabinet meeting on the proposals outlines that, alongside public consultation, local schools will help with ideas for the play area.
The Cabinet meetings can beviewedonthecouncil'sYouTube channel: https://www. youtube.com/user/sunderlandgov/featured