Thousands back campaign to bring back right of way into popular Sheffield woods
Officials reveal when they hope route may be restored
Residents are calling on Sheffield Council to bring back a public right of way into a popular beauty spot after it closed at the beginning of the year.
Access to Beeley Wood, from Middlewood Road North, has been stopped due to the closure of a public right of way into the local beauty spot because of safety concerns over a wall and collapsed bridge.
Now, nearly 2,000 people have signed a petition calling on Sheffield Council to do whatever needs to be done to get it re-opened again, 10 months after it was shut.
In total, 1,813 people have signed Louise and Ernie Syder’s petition, which has now been presented to Sheffield Council.
Louise said: “Since January 2026 access from Middlewood Road North to Beeley Woods has been restricted.
“This has been due to concerns about the safety of using the footpaths and Sheffield City Council have now determined that substantial work needs to be carried out to repair the retaining wall along the steps into the woods. This work will be costly and until done, pedestrians will not be able to enjoy access to the woods.”
The closure means diversions of some two miles via Oughtibridge or three miles via Wadsley Bridge.
Councillor Alexi Dimond, the chairman of the council’s Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said the path, Bradfield Footpath 91, was closed in early 2026 because of safety concerns relating to an unstable retaining wall and a collapsed timber footbridge.
He said: “The council recognises the impact of the closure and is progressing the technical work needed to identify a safe, deliverable solution.
“A firm construction and reopening programme cannot be confirmed until the feasibility work is complete and funding for the next stage has been secured.
The authority’s Finance and Performance Policy Committee approved paying for initial site investigation works aim.
Coun Dimond said it was hoped that the route would be re-opened by autumn 2027, if money was available for the work.