RELAXATION of Hillsborough Tram Gates would benefit car drivers but the idea has angered public transport bosses who branded it a "retrograde step" against their efforts to improve buses and trams.
It is the third controversial traffic restriction introduced under Sheffield Council's previous Labour administration that the new Liberal Democrat leadership is proposing to alter.
Changes are set to be made to Woodseats traffic management scheme after it was found journey times increased even though there had been a 16 per cent drop in traffic.
And narrowing of Bradfield Road to one lane from two on the approach to Hillsborough Corner is to be reversed after jams increased. Drivers are currently forced to negotiate a number of congested back streets around Hillsborough Corner to avoid being fined – or have to make lengthy diversions.
Rush-hour only tram gateAlan Bangert, of Wisewood, who won an appeal against fines from driving through Hillsborough tram gates after it was found they were inadequately signed, does not believe the proposed changes go far enough.
He said: "I think it's an admission of a planning and policy error but I can't see who's going to benefit from this because the worst jams on diversion routes in the area are at peak times."
Brandon Jones, business development director at bus company First, said: "This is a real concern and a retrograde step for public transport.
"Evidence shows the Hillsborough bus and tram gate is a successful and necessary priority for public transport all day, not just at peak times.
"Improving punctuality and journey times for our customers is vital to continuing passenger growth and the existing 12-hour operation should be retained."
Duncan Roberts, chairman of Sheffield Punctuality Improvement Partnership, which represents bus companies and Supertram, said: "This is a flagship priority facility for public transport in Sheffield.
"Even in the so-called interpeak period an average of 34,000 passengers use buses or trams in the area every day. This is 45 per cent of the daily total.
"On a Saturday this is the peak period, more so on match days in the build up to a game."
He added: "Reduction of general traffic in the area caused by active enforcement of tram gate has reduced the number of accidents involving serious injury to pedestrians from an average of seven per year from 2002-6 to just three in the last year.
"Cyclists groups report enhanced safety for their members.
"No trader has produced certified accounts showing the downturn in trade."
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FeaturesMore Rotherham newsMore Doncaster newsMore Barnsley newsCheck out the very latest on South Yorkshire's roads - including live traffic cameras on Sheffield's commuter routes - with our Traffic sectionLatest sport.The full article contains 470 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
