Post-Covid Sheffield transport survey follows controversial lane closures

The pandemic has already altered the layout of many streets across the city as planners attempt to provide extra space for social distancing and to get more people walking and cycling.

But some changes have proved particularly divisive, particularly the creation of a ‘pop-up’ cycle lane on the A61 in Shalesmoor and plans to close parking bays outside shops in Broomhill.

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A new questionnaire aims to build a more complete picture about how people have been getting around the city before coronavirus, during lockdown and since restrictions were eased.

It is hoped the results will show how the temporary changes have affected the way we travel, and what future alterations could help get things moving more smoothly.

Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University have teamed up with Sheffield Council to launch the Sheffield Travel Survey, participants in which could win a £25 voucher in return for around 15 minutes of their time.

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The anonymised findings will be used for academic publications and further research, which could influence the future layout of Sheffield’s streets.

The survey is part of the Room to Move project, also involving Lancashire County Council and the University of Central Lancashire, which is funded by the DecarboN8 Network and headed up by Dr Stephen Parkes, a research fellow at Sheffield Hallam’s Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research.

Dr Parkes said: “We’re hoping this will give us some really in-depth data about how people are travelling in Sheffield now, how that’s changed with the different measures that have been in place during the pandemic and what that might mean for people’s long-term travel behaviour.

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“For the decision makers, particularly Sheffield Council and Sheffield City Region, this will hopefully help to inform what they’re doing and give them a better understanding of what’s working and what’s not.

"There’s been a fair bit of interest in some of the temporary changes, particularly the Shalesmoor bike lane.

"The important thing is that we learn from these measures and create a system that works for everyone and helps us get about safely and effectively.”

For more information about the Sheffield Travel Survey, and to take part, click here.