MOTORISTS heading into a North-East city can look forward to easier access as work begins on a major road link.

The first turf was ceremonially cut yesterday to mark the start of the £28m Sunderland Southern Radial Route, connecting the city centre with the A19 north of Seaham, County Durham.

Although the scheme has been on the drawing board for several years, planners had to satisfy concerns of some residents in adjoining Grangetown and Ryhope, in Sunderland's southern suburbs.

They were concerned about three proposed raised sections of the bypass, over the existing rail and road network.

Some objections have been satisfied, with final plans only containing one raised section, near the Toll Bar, between Ryhope and Grangetown.

The agreed three-mile route will run parallel with the Durham Coast railway line from south of Ryhope to Ocean Road, Grangetown, where it will connect with the existing Commercial Road, which will undergo major improvements.

Three new roundabouts will be constructed, with underpass improvements and landscaping, and a new junction.

City council leader Bob Symonds described it as "a modern transport corridor", helping to attract more people into the centre and port area of Sunderland.

"By improving access to industrial and commercial areas in east Sunderland, it will encourage investment and employment opportunities essential to economic growth.

"It will also create environmental gains by removing traffic congestion from Ryhope and Grangetown."

He said that during construction residents would be kept informed of the progress. Work will run until spring 2007, with motorists regularly updated of any disruption.

Sunderland's Mayor, Councillor Bill Stephenson was joined by Sunderland South plus Houghton and Washington East MPs Chris Mullin and Fraser Kemp, at yesterday's ceremony