| Witherwack | |
|---|---|
 Path at Witherwack | |
  Witherwack Location withinTyne and Wear | |
| Population | 3,200 |
| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SUNDERLAND |
| Postcode district | SR5 |
| Dialling code | 0191 |
| Police | Northumbria |
| Fire | Tyne and Wear |
| Ambulance | North East |
| UK Parliament | |
| |
Witherwack is asuburb in the north ofSunderland,Tyne and Wear, England, situated betweenRed House to the west,Carley Hill to the east andMarley Pots to the south. The origin of the name Witherwack is unknown.[1] The spelling of the name has changed since the Ordnance Survey maps of 1862 (and as late as 1945) on which it was spelled Whitherwhack.[2]
The area is an overspillcouncil estate, usually regarded as part ofGreater Southwick, and was built in the 1960s. In common with most estates in Sunderland, the street names all start with the same letter - 'W' in the case of Witherwack.
The whole of the estate falls within theSR5postal code. It is represented by three Labour councillors as part of the Southwick ward onSunderland City Council.
Fulwell Quarry, known locally as Witherwack Quarry, is aLocal Nature Reserve located in the disused quarries at Fulwell.[3][4] It is bounded by Witherwack to the west,Carley Hill to the south, Newcastle Road to the east and theSouth Tyneside county border to the north. Road access is via Newcastle Road only; however, the site is also accessible by foot from the neighbouring suburbs of Witherwack and Carley Hill. Public transport is available on Go North East services 9,20
The nature reserve is of national importance due to its rareMagnesian Limestone geology. The wildflower meadows and grasslands are favourable habitats for many butterflies, such as thelarge skipper, thesmall skipper and thedingy skipper. Plants includeFragaria vesca (wild strawberry) andBlackstonia perfoliata (yellow-wort).[5] Looking to the north and east, there are good views of the Cleadon Hills and the North Sea coast.
Witherwack does not have its ownTyne and Wear Metro station. However, nearbyStadium of Light Metro station on Newcastle Road, andSeaburn Metro station on Station Road, are both within easy reach from Witherwack by bus services 16 and the 135/36 (Sunday and nights only) respectively.
There is apark and ride facility near Witherwack based at Stadium of Light Metro station. There are 182 free car parking spaces available.[6] Witherwack is located less than a mile north of theQueen Alexandra Bridge, giving good road links into Sunderland City Centre. Witherwack is located close to the A1231 for road links toWashington, Tyne and Wear, which in turn feeds into the A1. Witherwack, via the A1231, is close to the A19; north to theTyne Tunnel andNorth Tyneside, or south toPeterlee andTeesside.
Witherwack has been built around a purpose builtbus terminus, which is situated at the eastern end of Wiltshire Road. Service 16 operated byStagecoach Group, provides a service from Witherwack to Sunderland City Centre via Carley Hill Road, Southwick