Construction of city footbridge under way

The New Wear Footbridge is due to be completed in August 2025

The construction of a bridge aimed at improving a city's connectivity is under way.

The first two sections of the multimillion-pound New Wear Footbridge have been lifted into place and will eventually connect Sunderland's Sheepfolds area with Keel Square in the city centre.

The £31m structure is a central part of the council's Riverside Sunderland masterplan, which aims to deliver workspace for more than 8,000 people and homes for 2,000 residents over the next decade.

The bridge, which will also improve access to the Stadium of Light for match days, is expected to open in August 2025, two years later than initially planned.

Sunderland City councillor Kevin Johnston said the bridge would provide a "significant boost" to the businesses relocating to Riverside Sunderland, as well as the newly opened Sheepfolds Stables.

"It really is a key part of our city masterplan, which over the course of the next decade will see billions of pounds invested into the city and send a message to the world that Sunderland is very much an ambitious and visionary city," said Mr Johnston.

The steel sections took three days to install next to the River Wear

Contractors said the construction had been "challenging"

The two steel sections, spanning 83m (272ft), were connected to the North Pier and North Landing sections of the river. The process took three days.

Mike Rimmer, senior project manager at the lead contractor VolkerStevin, said the construction was "challenging" due to high tides and the site's "tight geography".

The barge which delivered the steel sections is now on its way back to Belgium to collect the next two parts.

Contractors expect the parts to be on Wearside by the end of the month.