Sunderland’s former Mayor is stepping up a bid to represent Sunderland’s Fulwell ward, helping residents with road related issues.
Barry Curran, who was a sitting councillor until 2019, is bidding to return to the council chamber, having continued to be a community champion over the last two years since leaving politics. The Labour Party member is already using his contacts at the council to help residents who have concerns about traffic in the area and hopes that he will be able to return to the council after May’s local elections, to provide a strong Labour voice for the ward.
Having previously represented St Peter’s ward, which has a new Labour candidate standing for election, Barry is helping residents in Fulwell who have concerns about speeding and problem parking. He has raised issues with the council portfolio holder, in the hope of helping alleviate the issues residents are experiencing.
He said: “Many residents have reached out to report traffic related issues and to ask for my support in tackling them, given my experience on the council in the past. I’ve had reports of speeding vehicles at Cairns Road – mainly wagons – that are simply not being resolved by existing traffic-calming measures. Speeding is a problem that extends to roads across the ward, and is something I am keen to tackle.”
Barry, who has lived in the city all of his life, said: “Another common theme is problem-parking. A number of residents have been in touch with me regarding the grass verges in Kirkstone Avenue.
“The cars are churning up the grass and leaving mud on footpaths and driveways, which is a real nuisance for people living in the street. I have been in touch with the council’s Highways Department to raise the issue, and hope to be able to feed back to residents on progress soon.
“I’m fortunate that my many years sitting as a councillor allow me to navigate through the council and ensure that issues are raised promptly and with the right officers and councillors to get action. I very much hope to be able to support Fulwell residents as their councillor after May’s elections. It would be a real honour.”