By Rhiannon O’Brien and Roxanne Strangeway

Transformation improvements to be made to Leopold Street to make it easier for people to move around the city centre.

As part of the project Leopold Street will become a one way system with traffic travelling towards the junction of Townhead Street, West Street and Church Street. Following feedback from bus users the SC1 bus will be able to take a left turn from Leopold Street making a shorter and more enjoyable travel for passengers.

Councillor Ben Miskell, the Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council said, “As Sheffield continues to grow, welcoming new businesses and delivering thousands of new homes on brownfield sites, it’s vital that we continue to invest to shape a city centre worthy of our hearts.”

Bliss Spencer, from Virgin Money said, “I think it would definitely benefit students and people that work in the centre, not necessarily for driving if you’ve got a car. But I think it would be a lot better for the environment.”

The plan also includes an improved taxi rank along with blue badge parking and loading facilities.

But Chantelle Lister, from Nationwide, said, “I think it would make it quite cramped, taxis already don’t really look where they’re going and if you’re adding green space as well as bike and bus routes I don’t know how that would work.”

To improve safety a cycle crossing will be installed linking Townhead Street and Leopold Street with the pedestrian crossing near the tram junction will be moved to a more convenient location.

Councillor Miskell also said, “We want people to get into and out of the city centre as easily as possible, by whatever form of transport they wish and by completing this section of the project, it will complete a major part of our goal for Sheffield.”

You can have your say on the plans by taking part in a consultation via the council website https://haveyoursay.sheffield.gov.uk/connectingsheffieldtownheadleopold