'˜Fantastic development' will make months of city centre disruption worthwhile, say university bosses
The University of Sheffield is embarking on an £8million transformation of the roads around its campus, with work starting yesterday.
In the scheme some streets will be pedestrianised, extra trees will be planted, new cycling routes created and public art installed.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIt is intended the project will better connect the university to the city and provide a more pleasant environment for both the institution’s 26,000 students and the citizens of Sheffield.
But completing the work will involve months of disruption on some of the city’s busiest roads.
Work is starting on Mappin Street, where roadworks are in place from this week until February 22 as a bus stop is removed ahead of it being replaced by two other stops. The work on Mappin Street will also include an extension of the one-way system.
The entire project is due to take until September to complete and an interactive online map called Check My Route has been launched to show what work is taking place and how it will affect roads and public transport.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe scheme has received around £2.9m funding from the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund, with the rest of the work being funded by the university.
Keith Lilley, director of estates and facilities management at the University of Sheffield, said: “This is a fantastic development which will transform the campus environment and support the university’s links with the city centre.
“The improvements, including the pedestrianised streets, will make the campus much easier and safer for our staff and students to get around and better connect the university with the city.
“We want to encourage the people of Sheffield to enjoy and use our campus, whether it’s to have lunch in one of our cafes, cycle through the campus area up to Weston Park, or just enjoy sitting and relaxing in one of the new greener, safer places that will be created through this development.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOther changes will include the removal of the left turn from Glossop Road on to Upper Hanover Street, where new pedestrian crossings will also be created.
That work, scheduled for spring, is expected to cause disruption on one of Sheffield’s busiest roads close to Brook Hill roundabout. Leavygreave Road East, Gell Street, Victoria Street and Portobello are all to be subjected to major changes which will include routes closed off to cars, cycles routes installed and new trees planted.
New pedestrian and cycle crossings are planned on Western Bank, with improvements also taking place on Favell Road, Leavygreave West and Hounsfield Road inside the university campus.
Mr Lilley added: “We will be working closely with the contractor and the various agencies to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum but obviously with a project of this scale there will be some interruptions to journeys while the improvement work is are taking place.”
To view the interactive map and sign up for weekly updates about the progress of the work and likely disruption, visit http://check-my-route.group.shef.ac.uk