Millions needed to mend wrecked routes

But highways bosses have warned it could be up to a year before Middlewood Road - one of the most badly-damaged routes - is reopened to traffic.

A landslip near the Middlewood Tavern took away the embankment supporting more than 100 yards of the road.

The deluge also caused landslips affecting Clay Wheels Lane, Wadsley Bridge and the A61 at Grenoside, both of which can only be passed by traffic in one direction at a time, controlled by temporary lights.

Money is needed to repair both roads, to rebuild a bridge completely swept away on Livesey Street and improve the retaining wall supporting Brightside Lane alongside the River Don at Meadowhall.

Sheffield Council has revealed the reconstruction of Middlewood Road is the biggest and most complex of all the projects and will cost about 4 million alone.

John Charlton, director of the authority’s Street Force department, said: “Surveys are still being carried out to assess the shape and depth of the bedrock, on which we will reconstruct.”

Examinations of the site are set to be completed this month and the council must then design the structure which will support the road - which lies about 50ft above the River Don.

It is expecting to ask building firms to make bids to carry out the project in November - but work will probably not commence until early next year, after the worst winter weather has passed, and be finished in September 2008.

Mr Charlton stressed Middlewood Road had been in good condition when last inspected in February and had also been recently resurfaced.

The collapse happened at a bend in the Don when raging torrents of water crashed into the embankment, washing part of it into the river.

Debris - including street lights and fence posts - remain at the bottom of the wrecked embankment, while a crash barrier has been left hanging in mid air.

While Middlewood is repaired, all traffic, except cyclists and pedestrians, is being forced to use alternative roads.

People on the local diversion through Worrall have complained about road safety and Sheffield Council cabinet member for transport Coun Bryan Lodge has pledged a public meeting to discuss the matter.

The council is also to resurface Stockarth Lane, which is part of the route, and include the diversion on its primary salting network - roads gritted the most in winter.

Permanent signs are being erected to divert through traffic and HGVs from Middlewood Road via the Stocksbridge Bypass and A61 - where drivers are advised to allow more time for journeys.