Arundel Gate Sheffield bus gate: Yorkshire residents' questions about bus gate introduced to the city centre answered by council

The bus gate is part of a plan by the Sheffield City Council’s (SCC) plan to reduce traffic volume coming from the northbound route. The southbound route remains accessible to the general traffic.

Arundel Gate is thought to be one of the city’s most polluted areas and will now be only used by buses, taxis and other permitted vehicles. Traffic will be restricted from travelling beyond the Novotel Hotel access point, by the Millennium Gallery, when coming from the Furnival Gate direction.

The new bus gate is being implemented through an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) and a period of statutory consultation is taking place for the first six months and the implementation will run for up to 18 months before a decision is made whether the bus gate may be retained permanently. In the meantime, the public are encouraged to provide feedback on the operation of the bus gate; all feedback will be considered before making a final decision.

Frequently asked questions from Yorkshire residents about Arundel Gate bus gate

The new bus gate is expected to help reduce the levels of pollution by reducing the number of vehicles which can travel along the road.

Vehicles are still able to access the Q-Park car park on Charles Street and the Novotel Hotel, using the northbound carriageway, travelling from Furnival Square roundabout.

Here are your questions answered.

1. Can all NHS ambulances (emergency and non-emergency) use the bus gate?

SCC has reassured that all NHS ambulances will still have access to the bus gate during this operation.

2. What happens if someone needs to drop someone off urgently at the centralised pre-operative assessment unit on Mulberry Street?

A spokesperson for SCC said: “The NHS facility on Mulberry Street will still be accessible.

“Drivers will need to enter Norfolk Street from the southbound direction.”

3. Does this bus gate mean that residents won't be able to use the NCP car parks?

“No NCP car parks are affected by the bus gate. All car parks in the area are still accessible as they were previously.”

4. Can blue badge users travel on this road? How can someone drop off their disabled relative at the theatre?

“The Lyceum Theatre is still accessible. All vehicles can travel southbound from Park Square roundabout, along Arundel Gate and turn right into Norfolk Street.

“Blue badge holders are not able to travel through any bus gate in the city.”

5. How can people with disabilities get to the Crucible, Lyceum and City Hall and other major landmarks located in the city centre?

“Full access is maintained for all vehicles travelling from Park Square roundabout to Furnival Square roundabout.

“The right turn into Norfolk Street, and access to Surrey Street, will remain possible when travelling southbound along Arundel Gate.”

6. I park in the cheese grater. Am I still allowed to access it coming up from the decathlon roundabout?

“Yes, the Q Park on Charles Street will still be accessible when approaching from Furnival Gate roundabout.”

7. How do you get to the Q Park used by theatre goers?

“Access to the Q-Park on Charles Street will remain the same.”

8. How do you get to any of the businesses/car parking spaces in the city centre?

“There are still several access points to the city centre. In particular, vehicles can travel southbound from Park Square roundabout, along Arundel Gate and turn right into Norfolk Street and Arundel Gate Car Park,” SCC said.

“Charles St Q-park can be accessed from Furnival Square.”

9. How can delivery drivers deliver to the shops and businesses if Arundel Gate is closed to them?

“Arundel Gate is still accessible southbound. Heading northbound (from Furnival Gate towards Arundel gate) deliveries will still be able to be made up to the Novotel turning point.”

10. Won’t closing off Arundel Gate (northbound route) to general traffic will increase traffic volumes and pollution on other roads in the surrounding areas? How would this be remedied?

“In developing the Clean Air Plan and Clean Air Zone proposals, the Council has undertaken significant appraisal of the measures being introduced and assessed the air quality implications of the Arundel Gate Bus Gate as part of the assessment.

“All the measures in the Clean Air Plan are needed to achieve legal levels of air quality in Sheffield.”

11. By restricting regular drivers' access to a road route that is so often used to get into the city centre (where many businesses and shops are) this may lead to the suffering of businesses as people will try to avoid the busy traffic - what is your solution for this?

“There are still several access points to the city centre. In particular, vehicles can travel southbound from Park Square roundabout, along Arundel Gate and turn right into Norfolk Street.

“Access to the Charles Street car park is maintained via Eyre Street and Arundel Gate. Access to the Britannia Arundel Gate car park is maintained for vehicles travelling southbound on Arundel Gate or via the entrance on Pond Street.”

12. Are private cars allowed to use the Arundel Gate bus gate (northbound route)?

“No private cars are allowed through the bus gate. Only cars that are licensed as Private Hire Vehicles will be permitted to use the Arundel Gate Bus Gate.”

13. Can people who drive minibuses for adults with additional needs use the bus gate?

“Minibuses with 10 seats or more (9 + driver) can travel through the bus gate.”