The updated Better Buses proposals, aimed at improving bus journeys through Burngreave, have been met with further confusion and opposition. Some local residents think the plans will only create traffic problems and dangers where there are none at the moment.
The updated plan proposes to move the bus stop, in the lay-by on Burngreave Road up to Cranworth Road and re-open the Catherine Street junction to left turning traffic from Burngreave Road. The Council’s Transport Planning Team hope that this will address concerns about lack of parking for the Burngreave Wine Shop (pictured above right), which thrives on passing trade.
Residents on Burngreave Road and Catherine Street are particularly unhappy, and have presented a petition of 40 signatures to the Highways Planning Board. The police blocked off Catherine Street fifteen years ago to combat a serious problem of ‘ratrunning’ and speeding. Residents are worried these problems would return if the road was re-opened.
Jennifer Booth, who lives on the corner of the junction and organised the petition, said:
“The Council is only doing this to be seen to be doing something. There’s no problem with congestion on Burngreave Road, but problems will be created by narrowing the road for a bus lane. I don’t believe cars will obey the one-way system. Cars will come racing through, putting residents at risk. The bus stop is used by about 40 school children each morning and it will be dangerous having so many on a narrow pavement, where the new bus stop is proposed.”
John Ray, who lives near the new proposed bus stop, said: “This is not good for residents, the bus stop is currently in an ideal place. It doesn’t annoy residents because the only thing near enough to it is the Wine Shop.”
Raja Saddiq Khan, who lives on Burngreave Road, said that he was really unhappy and didn’t think the new proposals were needed, as there are no problems with traffic on Burngreave Road, even at peak times.
An elderly resident, who uses the bus stop regularly, said:
“I like the idea of new bus shelters with raised kerbs because it will make it easier for me to get on and off the bus, but I don’t think they need to move the bus stop. If they want to make buses better they should look at the prices.”
by Will Jones