Moves to improve bus services

Story: Rob Smith

The Better Buses proposals for Burngreave have been met with confusion and opposition by local residents. The plans are part of citywide efforts to control the traffic, so that public transport can become more reliable. For the Transport Executive it will also be a way to monitor bus operators and oblige them to improve bus services.

Better Buses explained

The Messenger went along to one of the consultation events to see if we could make sense of the plans. The designers of the traffic scheme explained how the proposals would work. David Budd of the Council’s Transport Planning department told us:

“The problem is traffic congestion at peak hours on Spital Hill, which prevents buses getting into the city centre on time.”

Ideally the engineers would have put a bus lane on Spital Hill, but the road is too narrow, so they devised a system to relocate the queue of traffic up to Burngreave Road between Melrose and Catherine Roads, where the wider road allows for a 24-hour bus lane.

Satellite navigation

The bus lane will allow buses to pass queuing traffic, held on Burngreave Road by new lights at the junction with Catherine Road. Approaching buses are detected by a satellite navigation system, given a green and allowed to proceed while general traffic is held briefly. Traffic signals on Spital Hill would also be triggered to turn to green and allow waiting traffic there to move, clearing the way for the bus so it can continue on towards town without delay.

Reliable service

“The aim would be to manage the system so that buses would arrive when expected rather than just speeding them up,” said Tony Lawery, project engineer for the scheme.

In order for the system to work, the planners explained that road closures would be necessary to avoid ‘rat-running’ and to help traffic to move through the area more easily. New traffic lights would be put in place at the end of Catherine Road and Carlisle Street. Parking bays would also be added in front of the shops on Spital Hill and at the end of Spital Street. David Budd told us:

“The parking bays on Spital Hill and Spital Street could range from two to four hours waiting time. There may be nominal charges through ‘pay and display’, so parking can be monitored and to make sure there are always some spaces for people using local shops. Details are yet to be decided.”

The planners see many positive side effects of the scheme for local residents; there would be better bus stops, real-time passenger information and better parking for residents currently affected by clearway restrictions. Tony Lawery added that seeing buses sail by every morning might have an effect on car users too:

“When commuters see that buses are the priority we could see an increase in public transport use. A 10% shift would have a massive impact on congestion across the city.”

Residents question bus priority

Mr Rameshlal Patel, of Catherine Street Wine Shop, has written to the Area Panel and City Council on behalf of himself and other residents, against the proposed priority bus system on Burngreave Road. He explained:

“Not only do we feel our privacy will be invaded by members of the public travelling on buses, because they will have a clear view right into our homes and gardens. But also, many local people feel that Burngreave Road is wide enough and are quite pleased with all the present parking facilities in and around their homes.”

Mr Patel has also collected over two hundred local signatories opposing this new Council initiative. The petition points out that the problem is on Spital Hill and the proposal will bring the congestion to Burngreave Road.

“Also we had been given insufficient time and information, we feel the Council has already decided what they are going to do,” added Mr Patel.

Transport planning officers are now considering the issues raised during the consultation. If anyone has any comments on the proposal you can write to: North Sheffield Better Buses, Spital Hill–Burngreave Road, FREEPOST NEA 9015, Sheffield S3 7ZZ. Or for information call 0845 303 0343.

Residents' comments

I think it’s a good idea, but congestion will just be displaced and held on Burngreave Road, where there currently isn’t any. — Nicholaus Hall

Nothing wrong with a bus lane but they want to do something about the bus prices. — Christine Ramsey

The bus lane and the relocation of the bus stop will create traffic problems as well as other issues for residents. — Zulfkhar Ali

The roads will be too narrow as well as access to the Yemeni Centre becoming a nightmare. — Safinna A Shah and Anesar Shaibi

A bus lane is a good idea, but we do need proper parking for the Yemeni Centre. — Abdul Hanash

We don’t need a bus lane. — Raja Sadiq

With both Bressingham Road and Grimesthorpe Road closed, we will have no parking facilities for those visiting the Mosque to pray. — Iman, Dur ul Aaloom Sadiqia Mosque

I think the road being pedestrianised and having parking spaces beside my shop is a good idea. — Abrahim, Awrfuul Café

It’s a good idea for parking but while work is going on we are losing customers. — Khosreo Khezri, Komar Call Centre