Work starts on Attercliffe Waterside '1,000-home eco-estate' after 20 years of planning
Shovels have hit the ground in a scheme to build over 1,000 homes in one of Sheffield’s most deprived areas.
Crews have started roadworks in the first step to building the long-awaited Attercliffe Waterside development.
The new neighbourhood, which will begin with 362 homes between Effingham Road and the River Don, has been talked about for 20 years and was due to start in 2008, but fell victim to the financial crash.
Today (February 18), Sheffield City Council announced the first phase of improvement work has started on Staniforth Road to accommodate heavier traffic ahead of construction.
Another aim is to make it easier and safer for people to cross the roads surrounding the scheme.
Several closures and diversions will be in place in the next 15 weeks as a result:
- Attercliffe Road, northbound carriageway, leading away from the city centre - will be temporarily closed with the southbound carriageway, leading towards the city centre, remaining open and to be used as a one-way single lane route for traffic moving away from the city centre, whilst construction takes place
- Attercliffe Road, southbound carraigeway– this will be diverted via Newhall Road and Brightside Lane.
- All businesses and public buildings along the affected route will remain open as usual throughout the project.
Sheffield Council, along with developers Citu, claim Attercliffe has the potential to create up to 3,000 new homes and around 1,500 new jobs over the next 15 years.
Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Our aim is to make it easier and safer for people to cross the road and to support those who want to walk or cycle shorter journeys. With two large schools nearby, improving road safety is crucial so children can travel to and from the classroom safely every day.
“The project will also strengthen connections by linking the area to the city centre on one side, while creating new routes into and out of Rotherham on the other.
“And it’s not just about transport—enhancements to the public realm on Attercliffe High Street will help create a vibrant, attractive high street, giving the area a positive image and a stronger gateway into the city.
“What we are creating here are people‑friendly, prosperous streets.”
Other improvements include:
• New and improved crossing points outside local schools.
• Bus priority improvements
• Safer separate cycle routes linking Darnall and Attercliffe to the city centre
• Sheffield’s first ever ‘Red Route,’ a stretch of road where no vehicles can stop at any time except buses
Citu’s plans include 1,000-home eco-estate of timber framed homes after submitting a planning application for a first phase in April 2023.
It includes 362 homes between Effingham Road and the River Don, a footbridge, and a revamp of disused buildings on Attercliffe Road, including the former Spartan steelworks.