Sheffield is preparing for a significant traffic change in the city centre this autumn as the council brings in a new bus gate on Furnival Gate aimed at improving the reliability of services into and around the city.
When work will happen and what drivers should expect
The new bus gate, near the top of Matilda Way, will be switched on on 19 September. Work to build a protective traffic island started this month and will continue until the end of August, during which time there is likely to be disruption in the immediate area.
During construction one of the bus stops on Moorhead will be temporarily taken out of use while services call at the neighbouring stop instead.
Who will still be allowed through
Once the bus gate is operational, buses, taxis, cyclists and other authorised vehicles will continue to use Furnival Gate. The council says the change is part of the Connecting Sheffield programme and is designed to reduce unnecessary through-traffic and support a cleaner, greener city centre.
Changes to car park access
The introduction of the bus gate will alter how drivers reach a number of city centre car parks. Routes that previously used Park Square via Arundel Gate and then Charter Row, Moore Street or Rockingham Street will change.
- Drivers will need to access Charter Row from the Inner Ring Road at the Moore Street roundabout.
- Car parks specifically affected include Atkinsons and the Wellington Street NCP.
Residents and businesses in the area will be given information about the changes ahead of the bus gate becoming active, the council says.
Enforcement and initial leniency
To allow time for drivers to adapt, the council will issue a warning for a first offence to anyone entering the new bus gate during the initial six months of enforcement. An existing bus gate at the bottom of Pinstone Street, on the opposite side of Furnival Gate, will also return to operation but will not be subject to the same six-month warning period.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Construction of traffic island | Under way; due to finish end of August |
| New bus gate operational | 19 September |
| First-offence warning period | Six months (new gate only) |
The council believes these changes will make bus journeys smoother and help cut down on through-traffic in the core of the city. Motorists who use central parking should review their usual approach routes and allow extra time while the new arrangements settle in.
