Plan for new 12-hour Sheffield bus and tram gate "make it easier for people to get around" announced
“Congestion, difficult junction layouts and parking issues can cause delays”
A new 12-hour bus and tram gate that would block traffic heading into Hillsborough from Sheffield city centre is proposed “to improve public transport and make it easier for people to get around”.
The 7am-7pm restriction on Langsett Road near Normandale Road, and Hillsborough Car Wash, would be enforced by cameras issuing £70 fines.
Only buses, trams and bikes would be allowed to pass through and signs on Infirmary Road would direct other vehicles to alternative routes, Sheffield City Council says.
The local authority says the new northbound bus and tram gate would help reduce through traffic and improve bus and tram journey reliability.
The authority has pledged to “maintain access to nearby homes and business” if the scheme goes ahead.
At the same time, the existing bus and tram gate on Langsett Road at Hillsborough Corner would operate all day from 7am to 7pm, under the plans.
Currently it operates 7am-11am and 3pm-7pm and is the second highest earner in the city.
It caught 10,395 drivers and raked in £354,000 in the 12 months to October 2024, a Freedom of Information request shows.
The council says that by reducing traffic through the junction, buses and trams will travel more reliably.
Currently 30 bus journeys through Hillsborough are delayed each day, the council claims.
The tram gate changes are in a raft of proposed transport improvements in Hillsborough, Middlewood, Fox Hill and Southey aimed at speeding up buses and promoting ‘walking and wheeling’.
The proposals focus on locations where transport and accessibility issues are most commonly experienced, the council says, including Fox Hill Road, Holme Lane, Leppings Lane, Middlewood Road, Langsett Road and Southey Green Road.
A public consultation on the plans runs until November 4.
A Sheffield City Council spokesperson said: “Hillsborough is one of Sheffield's busiest transport hubs and an important local centre. It connects communities across the Upper Don Valley with the city centre and beyond.
“Every day, thousands of people travel through the area to get to work, education, healthcare, shops and leisure destinations.
“Many local residents rely on bus services for everyday journeys. But congestion, difficult junction layouts and parking issues can cause delays. This can make journeys unreliable and create uncertainty for passengers. Around 30 bus journeys through Hillsborough are delayed each day.
“In addition to bus reliability issues, some areas can be difficult to navigate on foot or by wheelchair. There are limited crossing opportunities on busy roads, and facilities are not always as accessible as they could be.
“Our proposals aim to address these challenges while maintaining access for residents, businesses and visitors.”