Sheffield city centre streets to be 'transformed'

Two busy city centre routes are set to be "transformed" as part of Sheffield City Council plans.

The council said it wanted to make it "even easier" for people to move around the city by opening up more public space, upgrading blue badge parking and improving public transport around Townhead Street and Leopold Street.

The project will also link in with the walking and cycle network at West Bar, Fargate, Castle Street and the work taking place on Pinstone Street and Surrey Street.

Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of the council's transport, regeneration and climate policy committee, said: "It's going to look fantastic, bringing in far more greenery and new public spaces for people to enjoy.

"We have already made massive improvements to large parts of the transport network in the city centre and this project is the missing piece of the jigsaw - it will complement those other elements brilliantly."

Leopold Street will become one-way under the plans, with traffic travelling towards the junction of Townhead Street, West Street and Church Street.

More open space will be created on Leopold Street so restaurants and cafes can have outside seating.

The free Sheffield Connect SC1 bus will turn left off Leopold Street, the council said, with the authority promising shorter journey times.

The taxi rank on Leopold Street will be improved, along with blue badge parking and loading facilities into Orchard Square.

A mini pocket park will be created at the top of Townhead Street, a cycle crossing will be installed from Townhead Street to Leopold Street and the pedestrian crossing at the tram junction will move to a different location.

The council warned of roadworks during the changes, with people able to share opinions on the plans during a council consultation.

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