Comment - This is why change is just so head scratchingly difficult

Attempts to turn Sheffield into an active travel utopia have created a terrible muddle on Division Street.

Part pedestrianised, part bus route it has fully hacked off walkers, cyclists, passengers, drivers and businesses.

A traffic ban was imposed on a central section last summer and was welcomed for creating a pleasant atmosphere on an interesting shopping street.

Bars outside the zone, unable to put tables in the street – Brew Dog, Lone Star, Gatsbys – looked longingly at bustling Frog and Parrot, Copper Pot and Lucky Fox.

Meanwhile, a traffic ban on Pinstone Street shifted buses on to Carver Street. And then Heart of the City works forced them on to Division Street.

Today you have a busy bus alley next to a vehicle-free zone, although even that isn’t perfect since cars edge past tables to get to a car park.

It’s the perfect metaphor for a hastily-imposed transition to a more active future, driven by social distancing and government’s desire to get people fitter. Otherwise known as a mess.

It is a future in which motorists and bus passengers lose out to walkers and cyclists. Drivers are demonised for causing congestion and pollution, but buses? Aren’t they supposed to be part of the solution?

But today, buses that stopped outside the Town Hall get no closer than Rockingham Street.

Consider that many passengers are older or have mobility problems and you’ll understand why so many are still up in arms.

But it gets even more confusing, because the forthcoming pollution zone punishes buses, lorries and taxis – but not cars. No wonder getting it right is nearly impossible.

Maybe it’d be better to start with a clean slate and do Sharrow Vale Road, as many have suggested.

Create a quiet shopping and leisure zone with clean air gratefully inhaled by kids at Hunters Bar schools.

Wait, what’s that? Sharrow Vale hardware shop isn’t keen.

They tweeted: “We’re not crying out to be pedestrianised. Some of the eateries who want to take the road for seating perhaps. Car drivers welcome to choose us rather than driving to B&Q.”

Ah well.