TRAVEL- Sheffield Christmas lights switch on to affect 16 bus routes

First and Stagecoach bus companies have both announced diversions to routes through the city centre to allow for 'crowd control' during the annual Christmas lights switch on.

Buses will not be able to use Leopold Street and Pinstone Street from 11am to 8.30pm this Sunday 20 November.

During this time, First buses will operate as follows:

Service 51 to Charnock will operate as normal to West Street then via Carver Street, Wellington Street and Rockingham Street before resuming the normal route on Charter Row.

Service 52a to Woodhouse, 95 to the city and 120 to Halfway will operate as normal to West Street before diverting via Carver Street, Wellington Street, Rockingham Street, Charter Row, Fitzwilliam Gate, Cumberland Street and Eyre Street before resuming the normal route at Furnival Gate roundabout.

Services 1a to Herdings, 75 and 76 to Batemoor and Lowedges, 97 and 98 to Totley will operate as normal to Haymarket before diverting via High Street and Arundel Gate before resuming the normal route on Furnival Gate.

Services 81 to Dore, 82 to Millhouses and 83 to Bents Green will be diverted from Snig Hill via Castle Street, Haymarket, High Street and Arundel Gate before resuming the normal route on Furnival Gate.

Stagecoach's buses will also follow some diversions:

Numbers 1 to Batemoor and 86 to Lowedges will follow the normal route towards High Street, but will not turn left onto High Street.

They will head to Arundel Gate and go the opposite way to normal down Arundel Gatel, proceeding to the roundabout, turning right, and then resuming the normal route.

Numbers 83 and 88 to Bents Green will follow the normal route to Snig Hill on to Castle Street towards High Street, but will then head the opposite way down to Arundel Gate to Furnival Square roundabout before rejoining the normal route.