Story: Emily Haimeed
Sheffield City Council has proposed plans to improve Ellesmere Green which are expected to begin in summer 2013.
Public consultation will take place until Friday 27th July 2012. The Council would like to hear residents’ views on the plans by filling in a questionnaire available at Sorby House, Burngreave Library or at http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/ellesmere
Demolition of public toilets and new features
Proposed changes include the demolition of the existing public toilets and the construction of new metal railings to surround the Green on the Spital Hill and Gower Street sides to protect the planting of new flowers. There are also plans to create a new central meeting point which will include the replacement of the existing benches in the central seating area, stone sitting walls and a public art feature.
Footpaths, trees and lights
Some footpaths across the green will be removed, and a new, wider footpath will also be established to lead people to safe crossing points. Some trees will be removed to make way for the new features and to make the green lighter. There will also be more electric lighting, with new lampposts and tree lights.
Changes to parking
Parking spaces will be altered. The Council is proposing to introduce a time limit of either 30 minutes, 1 hour or 2 hours for parking. They will assess all the responses and decide which time limit would be most suitable.
Events space and market
The bus lay-by will be moved slightly to create a new events space on the Green, which could also be used for a market in the future. The new bus stop will have a raised kerb and tactile paving to make it easier to get on and off the bus.
I went to Ellesmere Green to talk to some of the residents who use it on a regular basis, to see how they felt about the changes. Many people were unaware that there would be changes to the Green, and that they could tell the Council their views.
“I sit here most days if it’s not raining. I didn’t know they were planning to make any changes. It will take a long time to make the changes and that’s a big problem because we all come to this place, we leave our houses to come here and get some fresh air. Where else will we go whilst they’re doing this? There’s nowhere else we can sit in Burngreave.” – Mohammed Yafai
“I think the plans are good but they should not demolish the toilets. Where will the people who sit here go? Sorby House is too far for old people to walk to and it closes early but, during summer, people will be out here until late. The benches need to change though because they’re sloping down; the surface is uneven.” – Abdi and Ali.
“I don’t know exactly what they’re doing but I’m happy with the way Ellesmere Green is. If they’re going to upgrade it and have better toilets, that’s fine, but I think that the way the Green is used is great. This is a rest place for people, this is where they meet and it should be accessible to everyone, I don’t think they should put railings all around.” – Fatima Musa
“The changes will make the Green look more friendly and welcoming. I don’t think anybody uses the toilets, they should get rid of them if they aren’t going to replace them with better ones.” – Abdul and Abdirisaq
For more information
Ellesmere Green and improvements to Spital Hill footways, contact: Lucia Lorente-Arnau, 0114 273 6673, lucia.lorente@sheffield.gov.uk
Spital Hill Traders’ Forum and grants to improve shop fronts, contact: Fiona Champion or Elaine Feeney, 0114 273 5531, elaine.feeney@sheffield.gov.uk
Public art work on Spital Hill, contact: Andrew Skelton, 0114 205 3784, andrew.skelton@sheffield.gov.uk