THE first phase of a £1.9m link road, already in use in recent weeks, was formally opened at a ceremony yesterday.

The two-thirds of a mile-long carriageway forms the first stage of the Ryhope to Doxford Park link, on the southern fringes of Sunderland.

The route, jointly funded by builders Bellway and Persimmon, which have constructed a nearby housing scheme, was named Eltham Road by Sunderland City Council leader, Councillor Bob Symonds.

It includes three roundabouts, one of which is funded by the city council.

The link road will serve a new residential area, Tunstall Vale.

One of the roundabouts along the stretch of road provides access to the recently-opened Venerable Bede Church of England School.

Further parts of the link road will feature in development plans for the Ryhope and Tunstall areas of the city.