Work starts on upgrading routes to city centre

The first phase of work to upgrade walking, cycling and public transport routes in a Sheffield neighbourhood have begun.

The project is part of a wider scheme to transform the Attercliffe area, with the council aiming to create up to 3,000 new homes and about 1,500 new jobs in the area during the next 10 to 15 years.

Sheffield City Council said the work, which began this week, would improve the "overall public realm" and boost safety for children travelling to and from nearby schools.

Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of the transport, regeneration and climate policy committee, said: "What we are creating here are people‑friendly, prosperous streets."

"We know people want more choice in how they get around, and these improvements will do exactly that - making streets in the area more welcoming and people‑friendly," he added.

The first phase of work focuses on the area between Staniforth Road/Attercliffe Road and Worksop Road.

It will see the northbound carriageway temporarily closed with the southbound carriageway remaining open and to be used as a northbound one-way single lane while construction work takes place.

Southbound traffic will be diverted via Newhall Road and Brightside Lane.

This phase of the project is expected to take 15 weeks, with work taking place between 07.30 GMT and 17:00, Monday to Friday in order to minimise disruption.

Planned improvements include putting in new crossing points on roads, installing separate cycle routes linking Darnall and Attercliffe to the city centre and "creating a vibrant and attractive Attercliffe High Street" through planting.

The works would also see improvements made to bus priority routes to reduce journey times and the creation of the city's first red route - which would prohibit vehicles from parking, loading, and waiting and is represented by red lines.

Rachael MacLeod, north east primary regional director at Oasis Community Learning, said the project would help "ensure that every child can travel to and from school safely, while also creating a more attractive and welcoming environment for everyone who lives and works nearby".

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