A Sheffield City councillor raised concerns over child safety on £400m sustainable transport network scheme.

The Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Scheme aims to provide a wide range of low carbon emission transport networks across the city with the council’s intentions for Sheffield to become much more of a pedestrian friendly city.

There are nearly 20 school streets across Sheffield, providing safe walking and cycling routes to schools providing safe routes for children.

Councillor Andrew Sangar still raised concerns about the disproportionate allocation of walking and cycling routes across Sheffield, explaining how they should not just be prioritising the deprived areas.

Coun Sangar explained the importance of these cycling and walking routes for providing safety around schools and for residents to realise the number of injuries need to be driven down.

“The serious injury and fatality figures and particularly in terms of children and young people is still shocking with how many happen”.

The meeting heard that 350,000 people don’t have access to cars in Sheffield. Findings in October 2024 showed that the appetite for walking and cycling in Sheffield is increasing.

Councillor Cate Jockel, Principal Transport Planner said: “We want everyone whether they are three years old or 93 years old to feel like they’re welcome to walk, wheel and cycle in the neighbourhoods”.

Part of the scheme also included the proposal to reduce the number of green parking permits in the city currently at 5,802.

These plans aim to help collaborate with the Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Scheme to help promote sustainable travel whilst aiming to reduce the number of carbon emissions following their aims to be a ‘net-zero’ city by 2030.

Councillor Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee said: “We owe it to our children and grandchildren to take action today to reduce the impact of the climate emergency, and ensure that all of us are able to thrive in a changing climate and global economy”.