AN access road connecting an east Durham town with Sunderland city centre will take a step closer to fruition today.

The first section of the Southern Radial Route, stretching between the A1018 roundabout, south of Ryhope, and the Sea View roundabout, on the B1287 Seaham route, is to open to traffic this afternoon.

Seaham Town Council leader Eddie Mason said last night: "We are absolutely delighted to see this happening and welcome the opening of this section.

"Getting this road has been a long haul. We see it as not only a means of easier access for our residents to Sunderland, but also a way of bringing Sunderland people to Seaham.

"We have a lot going for us and are part of the Durham Heritage Coast Initiative - and this will help us.

"There have been a lot of roadworks one way or the other and people will be glad to see it finished."

Sunderland City Council portfolio holder for planning and transportation, Councillor Joe Lawson, said: "The Southern Radial Route is a key transport artery that will, on completion, remove traffic congestion in Ryhope.

"It will also help stimulate opportunities for economic growth in Sunderland."

Work on the £28m project, connecting the city centre with the A19 north of Seaham, County Durham, started in September last year.

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

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

When the section of road opens today, the B1287 continuing along Sea View to its junction with Ryhope road, in the Ryhope Village, will be closed, while a link road connecting Sea View Road to the new road is built.

The full link road is programmed to open in August.

During the period of closure, there will be a temporary increase in traffic travelling through Ryhope Village.

Traffic travelling northbound from Seaham on the B1287 will be diverted left at the Sea View roundabout.

It will then travel west to the A1018 roundabout, turning right to pass though Ryhope Village, where it will continue on its way north.

Traffic travelling south to Seaham will be diverted through Ryhope village to the A1010 roundabout.

It will then turn left on to the new road and continue on to the Sea View roundabout, where it will turn right on to the B1287.