Work to reduce congestion outside Sheffield station has started, the city council says.

Under the plans Turner Street will become a one-way road with no route into the station.

Instead, access will be via Fornham Street and Cross Turner Street.

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

Private hire taxis will be allowed to drop off in what is currently the public set-down zone.

placeholder image — Traffic jam at Sheffield station. | im

A new public drop-off and private hire pick-up area will be created on Cross Turner Street for free ‘very short stays’.

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

The existing multi-storey Q Park, which offers 10 minutes free, continues to be available.

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

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

Councillor Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “We have an ambition to give Sheffield the world-class transport infrastructure it deserves, and that includes how the city links to the rest of the country via the train network.

“However, at the moment that isn’t possible and we know that, at peak times, the traffic around the station can be a nightmare. It can also result in loved ones either being left stranded at the station or missing that all-important train.”

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.”