Travellers are braced as road changes to end gridlock at Sheffield station start this week.

Taxi drivers are the big winners in the plans.

Black cabs will get exclusive access to the under-cover pick-up area by the doors.

Private hire taxis will take over what is currently the current public set-down zone.

Cross Turner Street will be the new public drop-off at Sheffield station. | im

placeholder image — Cross Turner Street will be the new public drop-off at Sheffield station. | im

A new drop-off area on Cross Turner Street will be created for the public for free ‘very short stays’.

Meanwhile, a new one-way system will see all traffic enter via Fornham Street and leave via Turner Street.

The current short-stay car park near the drop-off zone will become Blue Badge only.

The overhaul comes after years of complaints about traffic chaos and air pollution at the site.

The changes are due to start this week.

Turner Street and Cross Turner Street will go one-way, | im

In December, Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at East Midlands Railway, said the changes had been developed by Sheffield City Council and East Midlands Railway with help from representatives of the local taxi association.

And they would ease congestion and improve air quality around the station.

She added: “They will make it easier for customers to find a taxi as they exit the station and will create a smoother, safer way for cars to drop off passengers.

“We hope customers and taxi drivers see a real difference accessing the station by car once the changes are live.”

Black cabs will get exclusive access to the under-cover pick-up area by the doors of Sheffield station. | im

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Last year, taxi drivers refused to pay for their annual permit from East Midlands Railway in protest.

Hafeas Rehman, chair of Sheffield Taxi Trade Association, acknowledged some passengers would have further to walk but he believed the changes would cut congestion.

He said in September: “We have had this problem for at least 10 years, which was itself an attempt to end congestion.

“We are pleased with the proposal drawn up by East Midlands Railway which should make it easier going in and out.

“At other interchanges around the country people have to walk much further compared to Sheffield, even after moving the drop-off to Cross Turner Street.”