“I haven’t seen some of my regulars for weeks”

Transport chiefs have been urged to reopen a tram route to end the “nightmare” of plummeting trade at a Sheffield shopping centre.

Shopkeepers at Crystal Peaks say footfall dropped dramatically after the discovery of an old shaft under tram tracks two months ago, on August 23.

Chloe Royston, manager of Julie’s Snaxx cafe at Crystal Peaks, said 85 per cent of customers normally came by tram and they had lost a lot of trade. | Im

placeholder image — Chloe Royston, manager of Julie’s Snaxx cafe at Crystal Peaks, said 85 per cent of customers normally came by tram and they had lost a lot of trade. | Im

And they fear Christmas trade will be ruined because the route is closed indefinitely.

Meanwhile, a bus replacement service is unpopular with some shoppers for being slow and infrequent compared to the tram, which ran every 12 minutes.

It comes after local councillors said Crystal Peaks manager Lee Greenwood had complained that some traders were struggling and feared for the future.

Shaun Emson, of Chicken Shack at Crystal Peaks, said he had lost customers from as far apart as Manor and Halfway. | IM

Eleven tram stops between Gleadless Townend and Halfway, the end of the Blue line, are closed pending repairs to the sinkhole.

Shaun Emson, of Chicken Shack, said he had lost customers from as far apart as Manor and Halfway.

He added: “We have noticed a massive drop in footfall due to the tram not running. A lot of people are not coming out in their cars because of the cost of fuel.”

The Blue Route is closed indefinitely after a shaft appeared under the tram tracks near Birley Lane on August 23. | IM

Sammy Singh, of FA Smith and Sons bakers, said trade was down 20 per cent.

He added: “I haven’t seen some of my regulars for weeks.”

Chloe Royston, manager of Julie’s Snaxx cafe, said 85 per cent of customers normally came by tram and they had lost a lot of trade. And the future was worrying.

“We need a good winter to survive the summer. The tram route needs to be fixed as quickly as possible,” she said.

Margaret and Steve Lindley from Pitsmoor have been struggling with the replacement bus to Crystal Peaks and visit less often. | IM

Postmaster Ranveer Guhman said footfall was down 30 per cent.

The tram closure was a big inconvenience for people collecting pensions, paying bills and sending parcels, he added.

Louise Vernon, manager of Zulu Boutique, said some customers were “regimented” in their travel routine and were staying away.

Gridlock leaving the Sainsbury's car park at Crystal Peak after the tram service was suspended. | IM

She added: “I’ve really noticed a fall in numbers across the shopping centre.”

Margaret Lindley from Pitsmoor and husband Steve, a wheelchair user, said they used to visit Crystal Peaks by tram almost every day.

But now they came half as often due to having to use the bus.

Louise Vernon, manager of Zulu Boutique, said some customers were “regimented” in their routine of catching the tram and were staying away without it. | Im

Margaret said: “It’s a nightmare. It takes twice as long because it’s stopping all the time and it’s difficult getting on, the driver has to put down a ramp.

“We normally come and meet friends, have something to eat and walk around before catching the tram home.”

There are also concerns car use has soared.

Traffic leaving Sainsbury’s car park was gridlocked on the morning of Friday, October 23.

A driver called Trish from Hackenthorpe said: “The traffic is absolutely crazy.”

The tram to Halfway was halted in August. | im

A South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority spokesperson said: "We're very sorry for the continued disruption to passenger journeys on the Blue route. Engineers are investigating the ground conditions at Birley so we can deliver a safe, long-term repair.

“Extensive investigation and enabling works have been completed, including detailed ground, drone and sonar surveys, borehole drilling and technical studies, alongside securing the necessary permits and consents and progressing contracts and procurement for the repair works.

Eleven tram stops between Gleadless Townend and Halfway, the end of the Blue line, are closed pending repairs at Birley Lane. | IM

A replacement bus is operating between Gleadless Townend and Halfway and stops at Crystal Peaks. It accepts Supertram tickets. | IM

“Specialist drilling is taking place over the next few weeks to help us better understand the groundwater conditions and the extent of any historic mine workings beneath the site. This follows the discovery of an obstruction within the shaft, which requires further investigation before the shaft and any surrounding voids can be infilled to stabilise the area and a permanent track repair can be finalised.

The mine shaft or well is believed to date back to the 19th Century. It is about 6ft across and about 30ft down to water. | im

“Design work is continuing, but the results of these investigations are essential to identifying the right solution. We'll provide an update on reopening timescales as soon as we can once the solution has been identified.

“We appreciate the patience of residents, businesses and passengers while this complex work continues, and we'll keep people updated on our progress as soon as possible.

“Replacement bus services remain in operation between Gleadless Townend and Halfway, with Supertram tickets accepted.”

SYMCA runs the city’s tram network.