£98,000 upgrade plan for Ball Street bridge in trendy Kelham Island, Sheffield, to improve access for cyclists
A pedestrianised bridge in a trendy area is set to have a £98,000 upgrade to improve access for cyclists.
Ball Street Bridge, between Kelham Island and Neepsend, has been identified as having a number of issues, according to Active Travel England, including ease of access for ‘cycling, walking and wheeling’ and the fact that it is closed to traffic using ‘temporary materials’ in the form of planters.
Now, the finance committee at Sheffield City Council is being asked to approve a £98,000 upgrade.
A report states it would use ‘section 106’ money, which comprises contributions from developers to improve local facilities.
It adds: “The overall aim of this project is to join up walking, wheeling, and cycling infrastructure in Kelham and Neepsend with existing infrastructure across the A61 Inner Ring Road to enhance accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians.”
Ball Street Bridge was built over the River Don in c1856, rebuilt in 1864 and widened in 1900. It was closed to traffic in 2020.
It is Grade II listed by Historic England.
Today it features planters and benches with a view over Kelham Weir which attracts wildlife including herons.
Flats worth hundreds of millions of pounds are planned or under construction in popular Kelham Island and Neepsend.
The finance committee meets to decide the request on Monday, April 13.