Missed buses and overflowing bins: What needs to change in Walkley?
Residents have shared their views ahead of a by-election in Walkley next month
With a by-election now on the horizon, residents of Walkley in Sheffield shared their concerns and what they’d like to see change in their ward.
Councillor Andy Davies stepped down on 3 August after three months in the role, blaming the pressures of the job and the impact on his mental health for his decision.
Residents will be invited back to the polls next month to vote for a new councillor.
Joe Hibbert, a local resident, said: “In Walkley we've got a lot of private landlords. Housing is a big issue here, rent prices are so high, it’s frightening, it’s astronomical, so any support for people with housing.”
Andrea Coombs has lived in Walkley for 18 years and would like to see improvements to the 95 bus route which runs from Walkley to Rotherham through Sheffield city centre.
Ms Coombs said: “When it runs, it's a good service, it's well used. But there are times where it doesn't run regularly, and if you're using it to commute into the city then it's just I don't find it reliable enough service.
“Sometimes, when the buses are missed completely, you see hoards of people waiting at the bus stops with no sign of a bus coming.
“For me more investment in public transport for Walkley, other areas too, would be something that I would think that we would benefit from, because it's not what it needs to be.
“I think if the bus service was better, we would see less cars on the road, which can only be a good thing.”
Another local resident, Charlotte Bright, said she would like to see the public bins emptied more often, and a wider range of shops on the streets.
She said: “I'd like a chippy, a fish and chip shop, there's only one on Commonside. Some charity shops, maybe.”
“It would be nice to have a post office, some more independent shops.”
Two other locals, Peter and Thomas, have lived in Walkley since they were young children and really like the area.
Thomas said: “A small thing, but I'd love to see fireworks be put away, because they always go off at random times. We used to have some pets that used to get really freaked out by it.”
Peter said: “I'd like more shops here, because there's a lot that's closed. I'd like more little off licenses, because mostly you'll have to go to an ASDA or an Iceland or Morrisons.
“We have a park, we have a couple parks here and there. Overall, I think it's pretty good. I'm pretty content with what we've got. It's just little things.”
Ellen, who works at Cafe Pie, referenced a lack of trade and the empty shop fronts at the other units on South Road.
She said it leaves her feeling that there's “not a lot of going for [Walkley] at the moment.”
She said: “They stopped the 31 bus running up from the bottom of Walkley, that stops lots of old people coming up here that used to come in here but can't get up anymore.
“We're really struggling. We're running at a loss at the moment. I don't know whether it's the state of the country, saving money and everything, so I don't know. It doesn’t help when it's this hot weather, and we're selling pies.”
The Walkley by-election is understood to be taking place on 17 September.