Story and photo: Graham Jones
From 27th January 2014, the Hail-and- Ride M20 bus route was altered to run via Spital Hill, depriving Verdon Street of any buses at all.
According to the SYPTE, the reason “is due to worsening levels of congestion which are affecting the punctuality of the service. Figures show that the Verdon Street stretch of route was carrying only three passengers a week. Going via Spital Hill will allow quicker journey times into the city centre for the 85 passengers per week who travel beyond Ellesmere Green and it will also provide more convenient access to Tesco.”
The M20 route is run by Sheffield Community Transport. It can be used by anyone and runs three times a day on Mondays to Fridays. The section of the route from Spital Hill, up to Malton Street and to Fir View Gardens is Hail-and-Ride but elsewhere normal bus stops need to be used.
Passengers on the section of the route between Fir View Gardens, Malton Street and Spital Hill do seem pleased with plans for the new route to run via Spital Hill shops. However, Margaret Williams, Secretary of Burngreave TARA (Tenants and Residents Association), says:
“Members of the TARA use the M20 bus to go from Ellesmere and Bressingham to Verdon Street. I can’t walk up the hill to get to Verdon Street; what I will have to do is get a bus to town and then get the 47 and 48 up Rock Street to get there. It’s important that the bus helps people get to Spital Hill, Tesco and Ellesmere Post Office from the local estates.
“The TARA will be writing to SYPTE to see if the route can be altered to include Verdon Street and Spital Hill.”
For more information about the M20, call Traveline 01709 51 51 51 or visit http://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/timetablefinder/