Anger after Sheffield city centre hotel blocks footbridge with barrier

The Holiday Inn Express has erected a barrier across a footbridge over the River Don at Castlegate, which leads to the Five Weirs Walk off Blonk Street.

This barrier stops people using the bridge for work or leisure and cuts off the Riverside area, which is being regenerated as part of the Grey to Green development.

The hotel says the barrier stops antisocial behavior but local resident Mark Baker believes there are other ways of dealing with it.

Mark said: “There has been some drug taking in the area but the vast majority of people wanting to use the bridge are law abiding citizens. We have had our right to cross the bridge taken away.

“You can’t just have a multinational company taking the law into its own hands and blocking public walking routes.

“I have asked them on several occasions to remove the barrier, without success, and my local councillor has also been ignored.”

City ward councillor Douglas Johnson agreed with Mr Baker.

“The hotel has blocked off this public bridge because they don’t want so-called undesirables from the Wicker near their business,” he said.

“Lots of council officers have been discussing whose job it is but nothing has happened.”

Holiday Inn Express said the safety and security of its guests and staff was its number one priority.

A spokesman said: “The barrier has reduced antisocial incidents around the hotel. We are happy to continue working closely with Sheffield Council to look at permanent solutions to our safety concerns.”

The footbridge is owned by the council but is not currently registered as a public right of way. The barrier is owned by the hotel and is on its private land.

Sheffield Council said it did hinder access and it was working with the hotel and police to find other solutions.

A spokesman said: “The hotel owners and manager believe that the barrier has helped reduce antisocial behaviour in the area considerably and so are reluctant to remove it.

"We will continue to review the issues surrounding this and work to find a resolution.”

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