Transport Links

The port benefits from excellent road and rail links radiating from the city, with key regional international airports also located within easy reach.

Rail/Metro

Fast Northern Rail trains link Sunderland’s revitalised central railway station with Newcastle and Teesside, with trains travelling to and from Gateshead Metro Centre, Hexham and Carlisle.

The Metro rapid-transit system operated by Nexus provides another means of fast rail travel between the Wearside and Tyneside conurbations and provides a direct connection with Newcastle International Airport.

As well as connections with mainline and cross-country routes via Newcastle linking with major UK cities, Sunderland offers a direct service to London by Grand Central Railway which uses high-speed trains on four daily return services via Hartlepool and York. Three return services run on Sundays.

Recent studies have also identified the potential for increased rail freight within the Tyne and Wear area.

Sunderland is served by the Metro rapid transit system with frequent services to mainline rail and local Metro stations across Tyne and Wear, including Newcastle International Airport.

Road

Sunderland is well served by a network of A-class roads, which link the city and port with the A1(M), A1 and A19. These routes in turn provide access to the strategic A66 and A69 cross-country routes. The Tyne Tunnel is accessed via the A19, with a second adjacent tunnel on this route currently under construction.

The A1018 Southern Radial Route, linked to the A19, was completed in 2008 and provides improved access to the Port of Sunderland with reduced journey times from the south of the city.

Plans to build an iconic bridge across the River Wear between Pallion and Castletown are nearing approval. The crossing and wider plans for a new road system – known as the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor – will form part of a new link from the A19 trunk road into the central area of the city and the Port of Sunderland.

Park Lane Interchange in Sunderland city centre is served by the Metro and local / regional bus services, as well as national coach services. The bus station is one of the busiest outside of London.

 

Air

Newcastle International Airport is situated approximately 30 minutes’ driving time from the port. The airport is part-owned by Sunderland City Council. Regular direct flights connect with numerous UK and European destinations.

Less than an hour away to the south, Durham Tees Valley Airport also offers flights to a wide variety of locations in the UK and Europe.

 

Awards and accreditations