Safety work now set to start on Sheffield road with nationally high accident rates
£1.42m funding package for road with one of highest accident rates in UK
Work to improve the safety of a major Sheffield road is beginning next January now that a £1.42m funding package has been finalised.
The government has now given Sheffield City Council the money for improvements on the A625 Ecclesall Road. It has been identified as one of 27 urban roads with the highest rates of road traffic collisions in the UK.
As previously reported by the LDRS, the money will be used to improve the stretch of road between the A61 in Sheffield and the B6375 near Whirlow.
A separate plan will also see improvements made to bus journeys on the A61.
The A625 scheme aims to reduce vehicle speeds, improve pedestrian safety and enhance junction layouts.
Changes include:
- A new 20mph speed limit between Pear Street and Hunters Bar Roundabout;
- Extension of the 30mph speed limit further to the junction with Abbey Lane;
- Installation of average speed cameras and vehicle-activated signs;
- One new and one upgraded pedestrian crossing;
- Junction improvements;
- Central hatchings to better separate traffic flows.
Sheffield City Council's finance and performance policy committee was told yesterday (September 21) that detailed design work has finished. The construction work has an estimated start date of January 2027.
Councillors also heard that South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has made a conditional offer of £5.5m funding for safety works on the A61 Chesterfield Road.
The total budget agreed is £7,736,600, including £2.23m of funding for development work.
The scheme is part of the South Yorkshire City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) programme.
The project will improve bus journey times and "reduce the dominance of motorised traffic", said a report to the committee.
It also aims to "reduce conflict between road users, to provide a more vibrant corridor for residents and businesses and improve highway safety for all".
The main changes planned include altering outbound bus lane hours to 1-7pm. Enforcement cameras will be installed.
There will be wider entry lanes to Meadowhead roundabout and the subway will be replaced by a signal-controlled crossing.
Road safety measures will be introduced on Greenhill Main Road and Greenhill Avenue and access to bus stops will improve on Scarsdale Road.
Bus shelters will be upgraded and accessibility to bus stops will be improved.