PLANS to cover more of a road with protective rock netting have been given the go-ahead.

The works on the eastern side of Houghton Cut in Houghton-le-Spring are set to last until early December, weather permitting.

The steel netting is to help contain erosion and prevent rocks from falling on to the A690.

Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Councillor Amy Wilson said: "As a council, we must keep investing in our highways infrastructure and the Houghton Cut is on one of our city's key and busiest routes.

"These works aren't on the road surface but on the rock faces above the road and will reduce the risk of rockfall. To allow for works access and safety reasons, there's going to be a lane closure so please be patient - they're important works."

The western side of the cut already has rock netting and the eastern works are being undertaken by Derbyshire company CAN Ltd.

The netting, which is made of PVC coated galvanised steel, will cover approximately 1,800 sq metres, or nearly half-an-acre of the cut's rock face and has an expected minimum design life of 50 years.

Jodi Sharman, Project Manager for CAN, said: "The work involves the removal of the woody shrubs on the slope. The roots push down into the fractured rock which can lead to fast breakdown of the face. We are also removing any rock that is already loose before we start installing the permanent works.

"It involves installing top bolts at the top of each bench and toe bolts at the toe with a drape of mesh running between the two. This is held in place with steel plates and cables. As the rock erodes due to weathering, this drape of mesh will contain any rock that comes loose."