TRAFFIC WATCH

Nookside, Sunderland: Roadworks, upgrading, refurbishment, or replacement of underground electricity cables, substations or overhead power lines. Delays possible until March 5. Burdon Lane, Burdon, Sunderland: Roadworks, Carriageway Resurfacing, delays likely, until March 5. Chester Road, Sunderland: Roadworks, Carriageway Resurfacing, delays likely from March 7-14.

Silksworth Lane, Silksworth:

Carrying out essential work to replace ageing metal gas mains in the road with more durable plastic pipes. Traffic control (multi-way signals) in operation. Delays likely from March 8 to May 7. Market Street, Hetton-le-Hole: Roadworks, delays likely from April 15-22.

The Avenue (back), Murton: Roadworks, delays likely from April

13 - 28.

Federation Square, Murton: Roadworks, delays likely from April 28 - May 11.

A community horse riding school hit hard by the pandemic is looking to bounce back stronger thanks to a donation.

Washington Riding Centre has seen the majority of its income dry up since last March’s lockdown and did not qualify for a Government support package.

But now it has been chosen as a beneficiary of Miller Homes’ Community Outreach Project, receiving £2,500.

As well as helping to fund the day-to-day running of the centre, the donation will help create a new sensory garden for its riders to enjoy.

Washington Riding Centre, best known for its sessions for disabled riders and children with special educational needs, welcomed up to 150 riders each week precovid.

The new garden will transform one of the centre’s empty fields into a sensory trail which visitors can follow on horseback or by walking, and will be fully wheelchair accessible.

It will feature lots of things to see, touch, smell and hear plus solar powered water features, bird boxes, things to read and different smells from flowers and planting.

The centre has also received a contribution from The National Lottery Community Fund.

Kate Par na by, operational manager at Washington Riding Centre, said :“It’ s been a hard year, but we’re still here and ready to safely reopen to our community at the end of March.

"We’re really fortunate that we’re going to be able to introduce riders to our new sensory garden in the spring thanks to the generous donationsfrom Miller Homes and The National Lottery Community Fund.”