New one-way system on Sheffield road 'could increase risk of crashes'

Plans to turn a Sheffield road near a doctor's surgery into a one-way system 'could increase crashes' say police.
Sheffield Council plans to make a section of Skelton Lane and Skelton Grove in Woodhouse a one-way system to ease traffic pressuresSheffield Council plans to make a section of Skelton Lane and Skelton Grove in Woodhouse a one-way system to ease traffic pressures
Sheffield Council plans to make a section of Skelton Lane and Skelton Grove in Woodhouse a one-way system to ease traffic pressures

Plans to turn a Sheffield road near a doctor's surgery into a one-way system 'could increase crashes' say police.

Sheffield Council plan to change the priority on Skelton Lane in Woodhouse from its junction with Skelton Grove towards its junction with Tannery Street.

Sheffield Council plans to make a section of Skelton Lane and Skelton Grove in Woodhouse a one-way system to ease traffic pressuresSheffield Council plans to make a section of Skelton Lane and Skelton Grove in Woodhouse a one-way system to ease traffic pressures
Sheffield Council plans to make a section of Skelton Lane and Skelton Grove in Woodhouse a one-way system to ease traffic pressures
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Residents had raised concerns with ward councillors about cars being parked on both sides of the road which causing traffic congestion which is made worse by vehicles coming in and out of Woodhouse Health Centre.

But South Yorkshire Police lodged a formal objection on 'road safety grounds' adding drivers would 'ignore' it.

A report drafted by council officer Simon Nelson said: "The former South East Community Assembly received complaints that cars parked on Skelton Lane sometimes prevent drivers from passing each other, causing congestion and delays to buses.

"Many residents and visitors to Skelton Lane, Woodhouse have no alternative but to park on the road due to a lack of off-street parking. Traffic generated by the Woodhouse Health Centre exacerbates this congestion."

Sheffield Council plans to make a section of Skelton Lane and Skelton Grove in Woodhouse a one-way system to ease traffic pressuresSheffield Council plans to make a section of Skelton Lane and Skelton Grove in Woodhouse a one-way system to ease traffic pressures
Sheffield Council plans to make a section of Skelton Lane and Skelton Grove in Woodhouse a one-way system to ease traffic pressures
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The objection from South Yorkshire Police said: “We are, on road safety grounds, unable to support this scheme in its current form. We believe that drivers will ignore the one way scheme as the alternative routes significantly increase the distance a driver currently needs to travel to access the surgery and other facilities on Skelton Lane.

"This could lead to drivers who choose to ignore the one-way section turning from Tannery Street, this could cause enforcement issues, and could increase the risk of head-on collisions and pedestrian accidents as other road users are unlikely to expect vehicles undertaking such a manoeuvre.

“The creation of one way streets in residential estates is far from effective. They do little to improve road safety or quality of life and in many cases have been proven to have a negative effect on safety."

The plans also include a new footway at the Tannery Street end of the one-way section to create an improved pedestrian crossing place and two on-street parking bays.

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Parking would be prohibited at the junctions with Tannery Street and Skelton Grove and at pedestrian crossing places.

Along with the changes to the highway, it was the council intends to submit a planning application for the construction of a small public car park on land next to the Woodhouse Health Centre to help address the lack of off-street parking in the area.