PLANS have been submitted for the re-modelling of key roads running alongside a prime city centre development site.

Changes are proposed to St Mary’s Way and Livingstone Road, in Sunderland, to simplify traffic flow and to improve the connection between the vacant former Vaux Brewery site, the city centre and the rest of the city.

The scheme, which could cost up to an estimated £13.4m, was unveiled as part of Sunderland City Council’s £60m capital spending programme earlier this year.

It is the next step towards the long-term development of the old Vaux site as a central business district.

The road is designed to accommodate the extra traffic expected to emanate from the Vaux redevelopment.

It is to be given ‘boulevard’ design to provide wider footpaths, a tree-planted central reservation and a dedicated bus lane.

Realignment of St Mary’s Way would also give space for a “high quality” pedestrian zone, suitable for staging events or public gatherings.

The council believes the Vaux site offers an opportunity to attract thousands more jobs into the city centre.

Subject to a planning application, which is expected to be determined before the end of the year, major work could begin next spring, and take up to a year to complete.

The council took ownership of the site in 2011, 12 years after the brewery closure, and has since cleared, landscaped and prepared the vacant land for private investment and development.