Editor's comment: Bring back FreeBee and show we take city centre seriously

We want to be able to wander through the streets browsing in shops and being entertained. We would love it to be such a wonderful environment that visitors are jealous … just like Sheffielders are when we venture elsewhere.

So, it makes sense not to have busy roads cutting right through the heart of the areas where people should be able to freely meander. Banning cars is too simplistic, particularly when we offer such terribly poor alternatives. It needs more thought, investment and compromise. But pushing buses off their traditional routes just as we try to encourage people back into town is utterly disastrous. It simply isn’t fair and The Star has been inundated with pleas from people begging the council to reconsider the strategy. All they want, particularly those who struggle to walk far, is to be able to get to their bus without a hike.

You might think I’m exaggerating but try walking for ten minutes to a bus stop carrying heavy shopping and then come back to me. These folk are the lifeblood of town. They are the ones who supported The Moor Market right through lockdown, only to see the changes to bus routes as a slap in the face. And that’s before we get onto what the traders think – yes they want a better environment but they don’t want to lose bus passengers.

This might seem a complex problem but we had the answer and, brace yourselves for a shock, we gave it away. Yes the good, old Freebee bus – but with a modern, electric twist - is needed now even it wasn’t just a few years ago.

Transport is within the control of Sheffield City Region and we’re told investment is coming, particularly when it encourages people out of cars.

The bill would be relatively small in comparison to the gains … or the potential cost of letting our city centre die through lack of visitors or pollution. Infrastructure is key and any plans for improvement will struggle without it.

Please! While we are still lacking the overall plan for town, this will provide a missing link. This isn’t a huge demand and it isn’t particularly innovative. I would love to hear better ideas. Until then surely this smallest of buses is doable?