“It feels like revenge”: Anger towards proposed council maintenance plans

Council plans to retain street trees whilst resurfacing roads have left residents in anger over reduced parking spaces.

The plans are being developed in consultation with the public and key groups following the Sheffield street tree felling protests which caused works to be paused in 2018.

Consultation sessions are being held in the city in advance of the work beginning.

One person, who attended the first event, but did not want to be named, said: “It feels a bit like revenge, especially since this road was active in the campaigning.”

The Sheffield Street Tree Action group have campaigned for the council to stop the felling of the trees since the 2012 Streets Ahead contract.

The maintenance includes building out pavements around the trees to allow resurfacing to take place, this has been designed to maintain road width for two-way traffic, whilst protecting the roots of the trees. However, this has led to a possible reduction in 10 parking spaces.

Another person at the event said: “I am very cross and concerned.”

She added she was: “Dissatisfied with the council, I think everyone is thinking the same thing.”

The work is set to be completed in two phases, the first sections affected are from Neill Road to Botanical Road, Walton Road to Thompson Road and from Collegiate Crescent to Pear Street. The road will be closed from 8pm to 5am for three nights whilst the work is carried out.

The Streets Ahead contract contained the maintenance of Sheffield’s roads, pavements, streetlights and other items around our streets. The investment contract is worth £2 billion, with it set to be continued until 2037.

Amey, which delivers the Council’s Streets Ahead contract, completed designs for streets where resurfacing will take place. The council has asked for residents to take part in consultation and provide feedback on the proposals.

Cllr Joe Otten, Chair of the Waste and Street Scene Committee, said: “We’ve worked hard to get the views of a number of stakeholders and are now keen to hear from residents too to ensure we can deliver necessary works in the most suitable way.”

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/