Sunderland bridge: Delays warning during Wear crossing work

The bridge will be twice the height of Gateshead's Millennium Bridge and taller than Big Ben

Motorists are being warned of possible delays as work begins on a multi-million pound road bridge over the River Wear in Sunderland.

Crossing the water between Castletown and Pallion, the three span cable-stayed structure will be supported by a 115m (379ft) A-frame pylon.

From 12 October, a 820ft (250m) stretch of the A1231 Wessington Way will be reduced to one lane.

Sunderland City Council said the work was "absolutely essential".

The works, which are expected to last until the end of the year, are to allow the construction team to widen the grass verge and the road.

The council said from January 2016, main works will mean a section of the road will be reduced to one lane in both directions and speed limits will be in place for about one year.

Twice as high as Gateshead's Millennium Bridge, the crossing will have footpaths, cycleways and two traffic lanes in each direction.

It is the first bridge to be built in the city for more than 40 years and is expected to be completed by spring 2018.