Another cycle lane to open in Sheffield on Sunday after week of ‘travel chaos’

From Sunday, 12 July temporary cycle lanes are being introduced on Attercliffe Road between Princess Street and Stevenson Road. The Council said this will create a continued route for the Five Weirs Walk while repair works take place.

Some side roads will also be made one-way to avoid the risk of cyclists conflicting with pedestrians or vehicles – but the Council has not yet confirmed which roads are affected.

It is the latest in a series of temporary changes made to roads in and around Sheffield city centre to help social distancing, with more people cycling and walking since the Covid-19 outbreak.

Many cyclists have welcomed more lanes and safer commutes but some drivers have complained of longer wait times and the lanes not being used enough to justify road closures. A business owner has also warned it will negatively affect his company.

Richard Hercock wrote on Twitter: “Been down three times this week [A61 Shalesmoor]. Did not see one bike, but loads of cars/vans gridlocked. Crazy. Why do we always cater for the minority?”

The A61 Shalesmoor has been reduced to one lane for motor vehicles between Shalesmoor roundabout and the Corporation Street roundabout to create a fully segregated cycle path.

Video footage emerged on Tuesday of an emergency service worker removing two sets of bollards to allow an ambulance to avoid the congestion.

Jo Maher, a GP who makes the five-mile daily commute from her home in Crookes to Wincobank Medical Centre on her electric bike, said she feels ‘much safer’ following the changes, which have also shortened her commute time.

Ian Fitz wrote on Twitter: “It’s a promising start to genuinely encouraging, enabling and incentivising active travel. For once I’ve been able to cycle to work (as an NHS nurse) without fearing for my life for much of the journey. Just Abbeydale Road to sort now.”

Another woman wrote: “Motor traffic delaying ambulances has been a problem on long stretches around Sheffield for years. The ambulance managed to use the new lane, and with a few tweaks could use it even quicker.”