‘Absolute joke’ - Sheffield residents react to £30m plan to remove ‘dreadful’ Shalesmoor roundabout
Sheffield Star readers have expressed concern over the government's plans to remove one of the city’s busiest roundabouts.
South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard is welcoming £30m plans to replace Shalesmoor roundabout with traffic lights and ‘free flowing’ left turns.
Shalesmoor roundabout is basically a T-junction where Hoyle Street meets the A61, with Penistone Road in one direction and Shalesmoor in the other. It’s currently one of the most used roundabouts in the city and one that also includes tram lines, major roads and pedestrian crossings. It plays an important part in many commutes to and from work while also linking together the city’s two main hospitals.
Oliver Coppard has previously described the roundabout as “dreadful’” while transport planning manager Matthew Reynolds echoed calls for change by referring to it as an “absolute nightmare.”
Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of the council’s transport, regeneration and climate policy committee, said: “I’m delighted that the Government is providing financial backing for our plans for the Shalesmoor Gateway. This is an area that will soon welcome thousands of new homes on brownfield land as part of the Furnace Hill and Neepsend regeneration project, helping us ensure that Sheffield has the homes it needs as the city continues to grow. “
However, not everyone in Sheffield shares the same desire for change.
We asked Star readers for their thoughts on the £30m proposal - and many felt funds could be better used elsewhere.
Paul Hind didn’t share the government's optimism, urging Sheffield Council to “take notice” of the objections to the scheme.
“If they did the city would be in a better state,” he said.
Phil Vintin also expressed similar concerns. adding: “There are much more useful ways to spend this money. I drive along there regularly and never once considered there to be an issue with it.”
Andy Nightingale also doesn’t see the need for Shalesmoor to be removed. He claimed that other roundabouts in the city should be prioritised instead.
“No issue with the roundabout whatsoever. We use it daily,” he said.
“Ironic when the University roundabout up the hill has almost weekly incidents and bumps and not a thing is done, or investigated why. Thought when there was a spike in incidents, a junction was supposed to be reported and reviewed.”
Barbara Marriott described Shalesmoor as a “good roundabout.” A view shared by fellow reader Denise Lindley, who added: “One of the better roundabouts - never had or seen an issue. But changing to traffic lights - get ready…”
Jason Craig said: “Never had an issue at Shalesmoor Roundabout, if it’s not broken don’t fix it.”
“It's not dreadful, it's fine. Fix the potholes. Sheffield's roads are poor,” added Stephen Lee Bletcher.
Michael Ainsworth also voiced concerns over the city’s pothole situation, asking how many potholes could be fixed with the money being spent on the project.
Alex Porter said:” SCC - absolute joke.”
Chris Richmond predicts that the proposed changes won’t have the desired impact.
“It’s like the roundabout that used to be at the top of Leppings Lane. Yes it caused some slight delays but I do not think that the flow of traffic has been improved since the introduction of the traffic light system,” he said.
The proposal was first announced in 2022, but it remains unclear when work will officially get underway.