Views on opening up'bus gates'sought

Jeni Harvey

A CONSULTATION is set to be launched with people in the south-east of Sheffield over plans to deregulate the “bus gates” in Westfield and Halfway.

When they were established, the centres of Halfway and Westfield were part of a new town concept in that part of the city, collectively referred to as the “Mosborough Townships”.

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The layout of these townships each involved a local centre and a grid road network which was designed to keep general traffic out of the centre, allowing access for buses only.

To enable this, “bus gates” were installed in Shortbrook Road, Westfield and at Streetfields in Halfway.

However, a petition bearing 205 signatures was submitted to Sheffield Council last year, calling for the bus gates to be opened up to all traffic as they are currently being ignored by motorists.

This petition is set to be considered at a meeting of Sheffield Council’s city centre, south and east planning board on Monday.

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In a report set to go before that meeting John Bann, the council’s head of transport and highways, recommends that the issue should be referred on to the south east community assembly for further consultation.

Mr Bann said: “Clearly the presence of the bus gates no longer serve as a major benefit for local bus services. However, these facilities do have a role in keeping down levels of through traffic in residential areas.

“Widespread abuse of the bus gates does take place. Whilst there is support for their removal, there may equally be support from other residents to keep the gates and improve the enforcement of them.

“Clearly, further local discussion needs to take place. Traffic surveys are to be undertaken in parallel to establish the existing level of abuse.”