Parking changes in Sheffield suburb slammed as ‘ludicrous’ by shopkeepers

On Monday, council chiefs told shopkeepers on Fulwood Road in the north-western Sheffield suburb that all the roadside parking facilities bar two disabled spaces would be temporarily removed.

However, people who work in the parade of shops on the road claim this could severely affect their business, and say that the decision is being rushed through with no opportunity for them to object.

One of them, Stuart Nye, described the situation as ‘ludicrous’ and claimed it could sound the death knell for many businesses which were already struggling to cope with covid.

He said: “I think the council has really dropped a clanger on this one. Without the facility for short term parking all the shops here could be in danger.

“I have tried to contact people all yesterday with no luck and it is hard to complain at the moment. Maybe they are sneaking it through during coronavirus as they know no one can object.

“I think they are ramming through a project that has been defeated in the past, saying it is temporary when it won’t turn out to be anything of the sort.”

The shops affected by the withdrawal include supermarket chains Morrisons and Sainsbury’s as well as coffee giant Costa.

However, Stuart says local independent shops will also be badly hit, with hardware store Williamson’s and Record Collector both reportedly worried about the effect it may have on their business.

Sheffield Council said the changes were a temporary measure to increase the amount of space afforded to pedestrians during the coronavirus pandemic and the work to remove the spaces would begin on Monday, August 17.

Councillor Bob Johnson, Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability at Sheffield City Council, said: “We have been working hard to introduce social distancing measures in local communities to ensure the safety of residents as the lockdown restrictions ease and businesses reopen.

“This scheme is being introduced to temporarily to support people access their local shops safely and to help give the confidence to do so. We have worked with local councillors to develop the plans and we understand that the removal of these parking bays may cause inconvenience for some drivers.

“We did not take the decision lightly, however protecting the health of our residents and taking precautions to minimise the risk of Covid-19 must be our priority, and we believe these measures are an important part of this.”

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