Red Lines: Bus lane plan on Sheffield’s Ecclesall Road ‘still a live issue' as crunch meeting looms

Douglas Johnson said changes to Abbeydale Road and Ecclesall Road were still needed due to a “huge number of private cars” affecting bus services. The proposals are set to be debated at a transport committee meeting on July 19.

The Lib Dems oppose 12-hour bus lanes.

Earlier this year, Labour councillor Mazher Iqbal also voiced opposition to the plan. But his successor, Coun Ben Miskell, would not be drawn.

In response to a recent question he said: “We all want to improve public transport in our city. Earlier in the year plans to improve bus journey times on London Road, Abbeydale Road and Ecclesall Road were paused. It is right that the cross-party Transport, Regeneration and Climate committee now considers all options and it is right that the views of residents and businesses are heard and taken into account.”

He also said he had called for an economic impact assessment.

Coun Johnson, leader of Sheffield Greens, told The Star: “It’s a proposal to deal with a pressing problem. Ecclesall and Abbeydale roads were selected several years ago as two of the most congested roads in all of South Yorkshire. The large number of private cars isn’t really sustainable and bus lanes operate at times that don’t coincide with congestion. We need to find the right balance of priorities.”

Access for businesses was a “no brainer,” he added.

“I want to see a system that’s better for the vast majority of people that live there,” he added.

Some shops and small businesses have mounted a ‘Say No To Red Lines’ campaign.

Last month, members said they were worried Labour would reverse its position after the party was put into ‘special measures’ over issues including the street tree scandal and disastrous container park on Fargate.

A clean air campaigner has called for a greater say for residents in the debate. Graham Turnbull said 174,000 people live within one mile of the mid-point of Ecclesall Road and if a shop can’t survive on them 'it’s either the wrong shop or in the wrong place’.