Ambitious plans have been unveiled after residents and businesses in the city centre called for improvements to public transport and park and ride, as well as better walking, wheeling and cycling options to help people get around more easily and safely.
In December and January, Sheffield City Council asked residents, businesses and visitors to share their thoughts around how city centre streets should look and feel in the future. With plans for more homes and new retail, leisure and hospitality venues on the horizon, a rethink of how our streets, spaces and the transport network operates on a day-to-day basis is needed to support the city and enable its growth.
As Sheffield continues to grow, thousands more workers, residents and visitors are expected to be travelling to and from the city centre every day by 2040. But with streets already full, and limited opportunity to create more space, this demand will need to be met by giving people a genuine choice in how they get around, including better public transport and safer walking, wheeling and cycling routes.
The plans will move Sheffield more in line with the most successful European cities including Amsterdam, Munich and Paris, where high-quality public transport networks and integrated walking, wheeling and cycling routes are commonplace.
The Council’s bold and ambitious plan includes the expansion of the tram network, a redesigned Sheffield Bus Interchange, more park and ride options, new walking and wheeling corridors, and a more connected cycle network. Traffic will also be redirected towards the inner ring road, reducing congestion and freeing up space in the Heart of the City.
Our city centre is one of Sheffield’s greatest assets. It’s the beating economic and cultural heart of England’s fourth largest city – welcoming growing numbers of residents, workers and visitors, day and night.
As more people live, work and spend time here, demand for travel into and around the city centre will grow. To meet that demand, we need more attractive, reliable and space-efficient ways of getting around – so people can enjoy everything the city centre has to offer without creating more congestion.
This plan responds directly to what you told us, setting out clear proposals for the next 15 years. It’s a shared vision – shaped by residents, businesses and the Council – and supported by councillors from across the city.
Delivering it will require bold choices, major investment, and working closely with you to get it right. Together, we can deliver the city centre transport network Sheffield needs – and deserves.
Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, at Sheffield City Council
The Council is now asking residents, businesses and visitors to provide further feedback on the draft plan, to ensure it responds positively to the discussions held in December and January.
The consultation is open until Sunday 7 September, so please get involved and have your say. You can find out more about the City Centre Access and Movement Plan and complete the consultation questionnaire online at https://haveyoursay.sheffield.gov.uk/city-centre-access-and-movement-plan
Alongside the online survey, there will be drop-in events in the city centre over the summer. Teams from Sheffield City Council will be on hand on three separate dates to chat about the plan and listen to feedback. Anyone can come along on the following dates:
• The Moor Market – Thursday 7 August, 10am to 3pm
• The Winter Garden – Wednesday 20 August, 10am to 3pm
• The Moor Market – Friday 5 September, 10am to 3pm