Sheffield City Council’s new bus gate in Arundel Gate which means only certain vehicles will be allowed access northbound has gone live this week.
The bus gate, which came into force on Monday, means only buses, coaches, registered hackney carriages and private hire taxis and cyclists are allowed northbound travel within Arundel Gate. Previously cars were allowed to travel through Arundel northbound but are only permitted to travel southbound now.
It comes after Sheffield City Council Council says it’s aim is to tackle air pollution in Arundel Gate, one of Sheffield’s most polluted spots, and mitigate congestion for smoother bus travels.
Councillor Ian Auckland, member of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “Arundel Gate was an area of concern, and the traffic modelling says that inclusion of the bus gate is necessary in order to achieve air quality compliance and so avoid fines.”
“Outside of air quality, the short stretch of single carriageway is a choke point for buses, and removing general traffic should help bus services,” he added.
Where exactly is the bus gate?
(Credit: https://connectingsheffield.commonplace.is)
As can be seen from the map above, the bus gate starts at the access road alongside Novotel Hotel and this stretches up to Castle Square.
Enforcement cameras at the bus gate are in place to identify any unauthorised vehicles that pass, and violation will result in a fixed penalty notice.
Travel before the bus gate, that is between the bus gate and Furnival Square roundabout, is available, such as access to Novotel Sheffield Centre or Charles Street.
Traffic signs warning drivers about the bus gate are placed at the bus gate as well as from the Furnival roundabout, so drivers can make an early detour at the roundabout or turn at the bus gate.
Meanwhile, southbound travels are still permitted for any vehicle.
The Drawbacks
Whether or not the bus gate is really beneficial for the city or not has been a heated debate for the past few days.
Many people argue that the bus gate will just make things worse, creating more traffic congestion in other areas and repelling visitors from Sheffield City Centre.
Stephen Knight, a parking lot officer at Arundel Gate, said: “I think it’s disgusting. There are enough problems to sort out in the City Centre. The traffic around Meadowhall is a lot worse than what it is around Sheffield City Centre. I don’t agree with it at all.”
Councillor Auckland also said: “There is a concern about accessing the theatres, it is a long way round passing the Railway Station and around Park Square roundabout.”
The Future of the Bus Gate
An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) is in place for the bus gate, which means it will stay there for at least 18 months. After 18 months, the Council will decide whether to make the bus gate a permanent asset or not.
Councillor Auckland said: “I think this week will be rather early to have an opinion about the bus gate, and if I remain a member of the Transport Committee after the elections in May, it will likely be an item under discussion.”