City looks ahead as traffic levels drop

New ‘explosion of cycling and walking’

ENVIRONMENT: An “explosion of cycling and walking” during the lockdown has prompted council chiefs to look how they can make the layout of Sheffield better.

Ideas include more planned road closures, keeping the green man on for longer at pedestrian crossings and creating temporary active travel lanes.

AN “EXPLOSION of cycling and walking” during the lockdown has prompted council chiefs to look how they can make the layout of Sheffield better.

Ideas include more planned road closures, keeping the green man on for longer at pedestrian crossings, creating temporary active travel lanes, providing extra passing areas on pavements where people are waiting to get into shops and marking out two metre guidelines at busy bus stops and crossings.

The Yorkshire Post reported yesterday that people in the region are being encouraged to hop on their bikes to make the most of the quiet roads, as figures show cycling has risen 40 per cent since lockdown began and the trend could continue after it has ended.

Retailers are reporting a large increase in sales as local councils create additional bike paths and introduce new schemes to keep people on two wheels.

Car traffic has fallen to 1950s levels over the last month, as people have fewer reasons to get in their cars. Google searches for bike shops have also doubled since lockdown began, with York fourth in the UK for the number of searches for local retailers.

It was revealed this weekend that social distancing would mean just one in 10 passengers was able to travel if the public transport network was running

at full capacity, with cycling and even e-scooters being part of a new normal.

Coun Bob Johnson, Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet member for transport, said: “We have seen an explosion of cycling and walking in the lockdown and this is something that people want to be able to continue to do after this is over.

“That’s why making the changes we need to make it attractive for more people to walk and cycle is really important. At the minute our transport network is too geared towards the needs of cars. I hope to be able to implement something quickly so we can capitalise on the growing momentum for active travel through the city.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Auckland said he had a number of ideas for his Graves Park ward, including a better and safer footpath alongside Norton Lane, from School Lane to Norton Water Tower.

He also suggested some of the parking bays at Woodseats could be given over to pedestrians to ensure social distancing while customers wait outside.

Coun Auckland, shadow Cabinet member for transport, said: “There is a clear need to tip the balance in favour of walking, cycling and public transport, which would produce clear health benefits and contribute to tackling the climate emergency.

“As well as enabling better travel options, this will need to consider measures to actively discourage needless travel by private vehicles.

“At the moment bus passengers have fallen by 90 per cent and tram passengers by 92 per cent.

“Quite how things will evolve post Covid-19 is unknown.”

At the minute our network is too geared towards the needs of cars.

Coun Bob Johnson, Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet member for transport.