School road closure in Sheffield 'caused gridlock, increasing pollution and damaging economy', claims businessman

Bannerdale Road was closed to through traffic for a week last month during drop-off and pick-up times at Holt House Infant and Carterknowle Junior schools, as part of a School Streets trial to cut pollution, improve safety and get more pupils walking and cycling.

Further closures could take place there and outside other schools across the city after what Sheffield Council described described as a ‘very positive’ response to the pilot.

But the initiative has not been universally welcomed, with one businessman saying the council must consider the knock-on effect on nearby roads.

Graham Royle, CEO of the chemicals company GRI Group, based at Acorn Business Park on Woodseats Close, said the closure was an ‘excellent idea’ in theory but asked whether the council had measured any improvement in pollution or taken note of the impact on Abbeydale Road South and Abbeydale Road.

“The Bannerdale Road closure caused gridlock and a tailback of cars on Abbeydale Road South all the way back to Millhouses Park,” he said.

“This caused a massive increase in air pollution on Abbeydale Road South from very slow moving traffic and led to parents parking cars in all sorts of odd locations to be able to walk their children up Bannerdale Road.

“It also resulted in hundreds of people being late for work, affecting both employers and employees, and damaging the city’s economy.”

Holt House and Carter Knowle schools, which are pushing for a month-long trial next summer, said last month’s pilot had encouraged many more pupils to travel by foot or bike and resulted in only a few complaints.

The council has said it is reviewing the outcome before confirming which roads near other schools would be closed next and when this would happen.

Councillor Jim Steinke, who represents Nether Edge and Sharrow ward, said he had spent time during the Bannerdale Road closure talking to parents and observing the impact.

“From what I was told and what I saw it was an amazing success. It completely changed the atmosphere into being more relaxed not having to dodge the traffic and was so obviously safer for all,” he said.

“Hopefully it can be done again soon and in roads outside other schools during school runs. It will also reduce the toxic traffic fumes that children continue to inhale on their way to school, particularly by not having idling cars by school gates, which shouldn't be there anyway.”