DRIVERS raised concerns over the layout of a major road after it recently reopened with freshly-painted markings and a new layout.

Those using the A1231 on Trimdon Street in Sunderland claimed recently-installed "misleading" markings are leading people into the wrong lane.

Drivers said they cannot continue on the A-road if they remain in the left lane, despite being marked for A1231, unless they make an immediate lane change.

This week, drivers said they feared a "bump" could happen as a bus company also warned its staff to ensure they move into the right-hand lane.

Read more: Drivers left 'confused' by A1231 markings on Sunderland road

So The Northern Echo visited the section of the road to see how big the problem is - and whether drivers are making a mistake.

How the road is set up

Trimdon Street towards the roundabout - where two lanes are marked A1231

The Northern Echo: Picture: NORTHERN ECHOPicture: NORTHERN ECHO

The road leads to a roundabout where the two right-hand lanes appear to continue the A1231 over the roundabout 

The Northern Echo: Picture: NORTHERN ECHOPicture: NORTHERN ECHO

However, the road (Silksworth Row) which comes off the roundabout only has one immediate lane dedicated to the A1231 

The Northern Echo: Picture: NORTHERN ECHOPicture: NORTHERN ECHO

It is not until the bottom, towards the next roundabout, that two lanes for the A1231 open back up, leaving the left lane continuing to the A1018

The Northern Echo: Picture: NORTHERN ECHOPicture: NORTHERN ECHO

What happened?

We visited the road at around 2.45pm on Monday (February 7) where we saw a number of vehicles make a last-minute lane change to get into the lanes for the A1231.

In a three-minute period, a total of 41 vehicles made up of cars, HGVs, buses and vans negotiated the junction as they made their way over the roundabout.

However, nine of those vehicles cut across and moved from the left lane, in the direction of Trimdon Street, and into the two right-hand lanes for the A1231 on Silksworth Row.

The remaining vehicles all appeared to have either been in the correct lane, coming from the right-hand lane of Trimdon Street or staying in the left-hand lane for the A1018.

'The set up is ridiculous'

Drivers previously said they had seen countless "near-misses" and that there are fears a "bump" could occur.

One driver, who asked not to be named, said: "The setup is ridiculous. The left lane says A1231 but you can't get to it from that lane.

"Once you get over the roundabout, the only option you have for the left lane is the A1018 into the city centre. It means you have to cut across the lanes."

'Council is aware'

Responding earlier this week, Sunderland City Council acknowledged drivers had raised concerns.

A spokesperson for the council said: "The council is aware that some drivers have raised concerns."

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