Anger as blaze leaves controversial subway looking like 'gateway to hell'

A row has erupted between Sunderland councillors over a city subway which has been branded as an antisocial hotspot.

- by Neil Fatkin

The Hasting Hill subway runs under the A183 Chester Road and connects the estates of Grindon and Pennywell.

Lib Dem councillor Stephen O'Brien contacted the Sunderland Echo after a fire in the subway in the early hours of Sunday morning, calling for action to be taken, including bricking up the underpass and creating a ground level pedestrian crossing.

Cllr O'Brien claims it is the latest in a spate of fires in the subway.

However, the Labour-led City Council have hit back by highlighting they are in the process of putting measures in place to address the issues.

Following the fire, Cllr O'Brien said: "This subway has been a total disgrace for years with Sunderland Council's leadership refusing to do anything about it.

"This fire has left it looking like a gateway to hell and must be the final straw.