Sheffield postmaster says red lines on Ecclesall Road will endanger his business

Nasar Raoof, who runs Banner Cross post office on Ecclesall Road, has already campaigned on the issue and helped to present a 10,000-signature petition against the plans, which also aim to open up more bus lanes and keep them clear.

Last week, he again attended Sheffield City Council’s meeting to ask questions from the public gallery.

He wants the council do a business impact plan to assess what the effect of proposals announced last year will be on small firms and shops and says that continuing uncertainty over the proposal means he is being left in limbo.

Nasar said many neighbouring small firms are also worried.

He said: “We are local, family-run businesses. All the big boys have got their own parking. We need passing trade.

“Vulnerable people will not be able to get to the local post office. I will be forced to shut my doors.

“I said to the council you’re wrong for doing it and you need to talk with us and consult with us and give us a way out.”

‘None of them are coming off their high horses’

He added: “They are definitely not consulting us, there’s no business impact assessment. The uncertainty is also causing more turmoil – you can’t plan, can’t forecast anything.

“A year later, we shouldn’t be in this position. We need to know what’s happening but nobody’s talking, the system isn’t working.”

He added: “I’ve offered to all the leaders and councillors and lord mayor to come and see for themselves. None of them are coming off their high horses and speaking to us.”

Nasar said that he has already seen postal workers’ vehicles fined for picking up Covid tests from outside his post office.

He said that cameras in the red line areas will automatically pick up registration numbers of vehicles that stop and issue fines.

“They (the council) want to make money. The ANPR cameras will automatically generate revenue and save on wardens’ wages. It’s just doing anything and everything they can.”

Red lines: Doubts drivers will change behaviour

Nasar said that Green councillors and council election candidates campaigning in the area have been pushing the scheme as a way to cut air pollution and get people out of their cars.

He doubts it will have that impact on drivers’ behaviour and suggests banning heavy goods vehicles from the road to improve air quality and congestion.

“We want to provide a service – we can only tell you how we provide that service. People aren’t going to be picking up 20-kilo parcels on the bus.

“We don’t have the bus service and they’ve announced one-third bus cuts. How does it make sense to put more bus lanes down?”

At the council meeting, transport, regeneration and climate policy commitee co-chair Coun Julie Grocutt responded to Nasar. She promised that there would be more loading bays provided on the red routes.

She also said that no decision had been made and there would be further opportunities to comment on the proposals.

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