Sheffield road closures and footpaths widened as part of plan to get more people walking and cycling

The plan follows a massive rise in the number of people cycling and walking in Sheffield during the pandemic, as people take up active travel as a way to get their daily exercise, as well as to commute without using public transport.

The Council hopes to maximise on the uptake of alternative travel methods seen during the pandemic, and is encouraging everyone to consistently incorporate daily exercise into their everyday lives going forward.

The temporary measures will focus on supporting the social distancing of pedestrians and cyclists in shared spaces, and will include the widening of footpaths, amending signal timings at crossings to reduce the wait time for pedestrians, social distancing markings at bus stops and the introduction of temporary cycle lanes.

Councillor Bob Johnson, Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability at Sheffield City Council, said:“As we move into a new stage of lockdown, with more people potentially commuting to work and able to exercise more freely and frequently, it’s essential that we put the infrastructure in place to make sure people are able to cycle, walk and run around our city’s streets safely.

“These initiatives will mean people can exercise at a safe social distance whilst they enjoy travelling around our city with significantly reduced traffic.”

Temporary footpath widening measures will start to be installed over the coming days in the following locations:

- Chesterfield Road - between Haughton Road and Asda/Iceland Service Road

- Rowlands Pharmacy - on Dykes Hall Road

- Lloyds Pharmacy – on Far Lane/Wadsley Lane

- Fulwood Road – on Glossop Rd to Nile St. Broomhill centre

- Charles Street and Union St - from above Q-Park

- Five Weirs Walk – the diversion currently in place will be widened where the main footway is inaccessible due to construction work

Other changes will include the introduction of a temporary cycle lane between Shalesmoor Roundabout and Corporation Street, whilst Devonshire St will be partly pedestrianised from Eldon St to Carver St.

Jonathan Ratcliffe from Office Provider Offices.co.uk said there are plans to convert city areas to make them more bike friendly

He said: “We manage several large office buildings in Sheffield, and we are turning our car park spaces into bike parks – the demand is going to be huge”, reports

“Boris is very pro-cycling, and this emergency injection of cash is to help people get back to work – by bike.

“Sheffield will see roads closed off and used as cycle and walking lanes. The thinking is that to maintain 2m distance between bikes and pedestrians will mean cars and public transport will not be allowed on certain routes through Sheffield”, explains Ratcliffe.