Warning to music and football fans

Sunderland music lovers and football fans are being urged to leave extra travel time this weekend.

Weekend works on the A19 are likely to mean delays for people traveling to two big events on Saturday.

Herrington Country Park is hosting the Let's Rock The North East festival, while Sunderland AFC welcome AFC Wimbledon to the Stadium of Light. But National Highways, the Government-owned company responsible for the A19, is carrying out major weekend works on the dual carriageway from 8pm tonight, Friday, August 20, until 6am on Monday, August 23.

In order to carry out the work at the Downhill Lane junction improvements, partial and full closures of the A19 north of the A1231 Washington junction and up to the Testo’s junction in

South Tyneside are needed. Drivers should note: * the A19 northbound will be fully closed between Hylton and Downhill from 8pm tonight to 6am on Monday; * the southbound carriageway will be fully closed between Testo’s and Hylton from 8pm tonight to 6am Monday; * the westbound A184 will be closed between the BMW garage and Testo’s from 8pm this evening to 6am Monday.

Diversions following the A1231 and A195 Northumberland Way will be in place.

Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council, Coun Claire Rowntree said: "Please be patient and allow extra time for your journey if you're going to the Sunderland match, enjoying the show at Herrington Country Park, or crossing the city this weekend."