Simple, affordable fares, reliable bus journeys, easy and safe routes to walk or wheel to schools, shops, and local facilities, and tackling congestion are just some of items that form Sheffield’s Transport Vision for the next two decades.
Watch: New cycle route so much faster as next phase is announced
City Centre cycle routes poster
Plans to link Sheffield’s new Heart Of The City II development to the University of Sheffield’s main campus with a mainly traffic-free walking and cycle route are right on track.
https://youtu.be/7OyMe7Kp49E
Sheffield City Council has approved a 700-metre section of cycle lane to run between Portobello Street and Trippet Lane, linking an already-completed section from the ring road past Leavygreave Road and the University’s Diamond Building.
The £2.8m route is being supported by the University Of Sheffield and new Sheffield City Region Local Growth Funding works are scheduled to start imminently.
Councillor Bob Johnson, cabinet member for transport and development, said: “This scheme has been long in the planning and will make a real difference to the walking route from the University into the city centre. It creates a very attractive alternative to West Street and I know will be well-used by cyclists and pedestrians alike.
“We are working hard as a council to increase the number of people choosing to move around the city on foot or by bike, particularly if they are making a short journey. We hope by doing this that we can reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and make cleaner, quieter streets in the city.”
Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region said: “Prioritising Active Travel is an important and necessary step towards building a green, sustainable, transport network that is fit for the 21st century. It’s therefore great to see Local Growth Funding enabling schemes such as this, which will encourage more people to get on their bikes.
“This development also comes at an exciting time for cycling and walking in our region. We’ve just launched the Sheffield City Region’s new transport strategy; we’ve secured Transforming Cities funding for important Active Travel schemes; and we’ve appointed an outstanding new Active Travel Commissioner, Dame Sarah Storey.
“By focusing on Active Travel, we can help improve people’s health and wellbeing, cut carbon emissions and reduce congestion. But you don’t have to be a professional cyclist – or indeed a gold medal winning cyclist – to travel in a more active way. By making little changes to the way that we travel, we can all do our part to create a healthier and more active society."
This scheme introduces a 700-metre walking and cycling route along Portobello Street, Trippet Lane and Pinfold Street. The aim of this scheme is to provide a continuous, safe and more pleasant environment that will encourage more people to walk and cycle away from main roads.
Major improvements for walking and cycling have already been made to part of this route between Western Bank and Mappin Street in partnership with University of Sheffield. The scheme is aimed at providing cycle and pedestrian priority whilst maintaining access for all road users and improving the visuals in the area where possible.
With full support of Cycle Sheffield, Portobello Street will have a central cycle lane with motorised traffic taking a low priority.
Cyclists will be allowed to travel in both directions and vehicles will become only one way towards Mappin Street. All access points and side roads will have raised bollards while loading restrictions will reduce the number of larger vehicles accessing the street during daytime. Provision is to be made on adjacent streets for essential deliveries. There will be no on-street parking provision on Portobello Street.
Trippet Lane and Pinfold Street will be made one-way towards Rockingham Street with a narrow central lane for motorised traffic and wider than normal cycle lanes in both directions.
Parking bays will be concentrated along the south side of Trippet Lane to improve cycle safety and increase public realm. Wide footways with opportunities for planting and seating will create a safer and more attractive environment for pedestrians. The current level of on-street parking provision will still be accommodated by creating parking bays along the south side of Trippet Lane.
Additional parking spaces will be created on Holly Street, and Rockingham Street to offset the loss of a small number of parking spaces on Trippet Lane.
By 2021 Government will have invested over £12bn through the Local Growth Fund, allowing LEPs to use their local knowledge to get all areas of the country firing on all cylinders.
There are 38 LEPs covering the whole of England, which are investing LGF money in a wide range of projects including transport, skills, business support, broadband, innovation and flood defences.
Dexter Johnstone, from Cycle Sheffield, said: "The creation of new cycle routes and infrastructure is vital to enable more people to make more journeys by bike in Sheffield. This is an important link between the university and the city centre and it's great to see it finally going ahead. We hope to see it extended into the western suburbs as part of a full network of routes across the city"
