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Wearside stories you may have missed this week

Supplied Dan in a hospital bed. He has cuts to his face and chin and has a large bandage pad taped to his forehead. He is wearing a hospital gown.Supplied
Dan is heading a campaign for traffic-calming measures after being run over

A second by-election is to be held, a nine-year-old boy's speeding plea after he was hit by a car and bridge with a pigeon problem reopening.

Here are stories from Wearside you may have missed this week.

Metro extension 'will be good... if it happens'

The first new Tyne and Wear Metro train in passenger service. The train is yellow and has the Metro M logo on its front. It is pulled into a station and passengers are waiting to board.
The first of the new fleet made its maiden journey last December

As the prospect of Tyne and Wear Metro trains cutting through Washington takes a significant step forward, those on its doorstep are cautiously optimistic about political promises becoming a rail reality.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness recently announced funding to repurpose part of the mothballed Leamside Line into an extension to the Metro. The bill? About £900m.

Linking up from Pelaw in Gateshead to South Hylton in Sunderland, Metro trains could one day be making their way past Follingsby Park and into two yet unplaced stations provisionally known as Washington North and South, creating the "Washington Loop".

  • Read the reaction from Washington locals here

Crash victim, 9, in plea for anti-speed measures

Supplied Dan lying in his hospital bed. He has a bandage taped to his forehead and cuts to his chin and large scrapes across his chest. He is giving a thumbs-up gesture.Supplied
The youngster was left with injuries across much of his body

A nine-year-old boy who faced surgery and lengthy rehabilitation after being run over at a speeding blackspot is heading a campaign for traffic-calming measures.

Dan was airlifted from West Road in Annfield Plain, County Durham, to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary in April last year, on what his dad Craig Ross described as one of the worst days of his life.

The local community has backed the campaign, called Silence the Loud, to force changes to the road where residents say they hear cars speeding, especially at night.

  • Read more about what Dan wants to change on the road here

Reform UK council to hold second by-election

A large group of male and female councillors outside Durham County Council's county hall.
Reform UK took control of Durham County Council after 65 councillors were elected in May

A second by-election is to be held at a newly led Reform UK council, just a month after the party swept to power.

Reform secured a landslide victory in May, winning 65 seats across County Durham to take control of the county council.

Easington and Shotton councillor John Bailey has announced his resignation due to ill health.

It comes after former Benfieldside member Andrew Kilburn was forced to resign for failing to declare he was employed by the local authority.

  • Read more about when the by-election will be here

Bridge overrun with pigeons to reopen

The bridge has a red banner saying Your Sunderland City Centre. It is above a brown brick Sports Direct building and there are cars passing underneath. The bridge itself looks to be enclosed and is made of grey and black metal with large rectangular window panes.
The pedestrian bridge has been shut since April

A city centre pedestrian bridge which has been closed for weeks due to a pigeon infestation is to reopen next week.

Sunderland City Council said it shut St Mary's Way at the end of April and called in pest control to tackle the problem.

Hundreds of vehicles pass under the bridge - which links St Mary's multi-storey car Park to High Street West, near Wearmouth Bridge - every day.

  • Read more about the infestation here

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