Whatever the potential merits of this proposal (and there are many in public
transport schemes) it is unlikely that there will be support for yet more taxes
rises to pay for it after the tremendous rises we are about to see to pay for
the Coronavirus costs.
So that would be my response to the “why not” at the present time.
On 15 Nov 2020, at 16:26, Noel O´Reilly <noeloreilly@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Yes, agree, why not consider free buses, especially as Sheffield blazed a
trail for it in the past?
Get Outlook for iOS
From: eccotalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <eccotalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf
of Gordon Ferguson <gordon.ferguson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2020 4:03:22 PM
To: eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [eccotalk] Re: Ambitious plans for the future of travel in Sheffield
Those of us who have lived here for decades (I came as a student in 1972,
Chriss was born here) will remember when the bus fares were so cheap - in the
early 1980s - that there was talk of making the buses free. You have to go to
the likes of Estonia for that sort of thing these days.
I remember like it was yesterday when I decided to go out with a mate into
the Peak District on the August bank holiday Monday in 1976. We got to the
bus station - lived in the east end in those days - to find a queue of double
deck buses and the place full of people, pouring onto the buses as fast as
they could pull up and go - all going out to the Peak District, either via
Ecclesall Road or Abbeydale Road.
It is only libertarian ideology that stops this coming back - if they can do
it in Estonia which is merely the 100th wealthiest country in the world,
whilst we are sixth - half our wealth per head - then why can't we?
Gordon
On 15/11/2020 11:20, Noel O´Reilly wrote:
I've been living in the area for a year and it's great - friendly
neighbours, vibrant shops and other amenities, great walks urban and rural.
Around here, Sheffield lives up to its reputation for being the 'outdoor
city' with joggers, cyclists, ramblers of all ages enjoying the parks and
woodland. But there is one downside, which is that the traffic congestion on
Brocco Bank and Ecclesall Road is appalling. During the first lockdown when
there was little or no traffic the neighbourhood was transformed into an
earthly paradise. Much of the traffic is probably unavoidable - e.g.
freight, deliveries, people who use their vehicles for work - but this isn't
the case with privately owned vehicles. The Sheffield Plan is committed to
addressing climate change and we can't address that without reducing private
car use. And it isn't just an environmental issue. Traffic density is a huge
health and safety issue, associated with asthma and other respiratory
illnesses. The only way the Sheffield Plan can meet its objectives is to
prioritise public transport, and that includes taxis, whether in the bus
lane or otherwise. As a newcomer, I don't know the city as well as most of
you, but it's clear to achieve the objectives of the plan we need safe cycle
lanes on Ecclesall Road, more priority given to pedestrians (which might
include wider pavements where possible), traffic calming to reduce speeding,
affordable car share schemes and other measures to reduce congestion and
improve health and the quality of life. Or perhaps we should follow the
national government's new plan for Stonehenge and double the volume of
traffic by digging a tunnel under the city?
Noel, Everton Road
From: eccotalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <eccotalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on
behalf of ramen fides <ramenandfides@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: 14 November 2020 17:27
To: eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [eccotalk] Re: Ambitious plans for the future of travel in Sheffield
It's not just about taxis and buses - shared bus and cycle lanes is even
more dangerous!
On Sat, 14 Nov 2020, 11:41 Scott Royal, <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thanks Gordon
I look forward to seeing the detailed proposals, but Ecclesall Road need
more than 'improvements to public transport'. Its a vastly wide road with
ridiculously poor quality, narrow pavements. There is a way of satisfying
all of the current requirements upon Ecclesall Road (pedestrian, car
parking, bus routes, cycle routes) but it requires creativity and vision.
And money.
But on the very simple scale, they should stop taxis using the bus lane.
Horribly dangerous.
Perhaps an ECCO response would be appropriate?
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Sat, 14 Nov 2020 at 10:26, Jose Garcia
<jgarciahome@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi,
Very interesting, I’ve signed up for updates from the council website and
look forward to joining the conversation.
Thanks for sharing
José
On Sat, 14 Nov 2020 at 10:14, nick nuttgens <nicknuttgens@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thanks, Gordon. There will be many devils in the detail but it’s exciting
that all over the country changes are happening. I believe that many EU
cities are further ahead, partly because they have greater devolved powers
in some countries eg control of energy schemes. But change is afoot here.
Some ECCO members may not know that a consortium of local environmental
groups has recently won funding from the National Lottery’s Climate Action
Fund to develop a bid for a big programme of community based low-Carbon
projects across South Yorkshire. If we are successful in the next round too,
we will have £2.5 million to spend.
A key point here is that every politician or council Officer repeats is that
the changes to our infrastructure will need public support which means lots
of discussions need to happen within communities so everyone understands why
the changes are needed. Many people, even now, don’t talk much about climate
change so I’d encourage ECCO residents to talk all around the topic, and
exchange views about the best ways forward. There is a helpful little guide
here on how to do this:
https://climateoutreach.org/reports/how-to-have-a-climate-change-conversation-talking-climate/
Best,
Nick
Nick Nuttgens
07403 494696
This is my email for personal correspondence.
On 14 Nov 2020, at 08:50, Gordon Ferguson <gordon.ferguson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Note that one of the schemes in this programme is for Ecclesall Road.
Visit https://connectingsheffield.commonplace.is
Respond to this post by replying above this line
New post on Central Sheffield
Ambitious plans for the future of travel in Sheffield
by Central Officer
Sheffield City Council is launching a new project, Connecting Sheffield,
which will focus on encouraging active travel and supporting the shift
towards sustainable transport in and around the city.
Connecting Sheffield will encompass a range of transport schemes focused on
delivering change for the city’s walking, cycling and public transport
infrastructure.
The new scheme follows a successful bid made by Sheffield City Region,
supported by Sheffield City Council, for funding from the Department for
Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund. Sheffield will receive £50m which
will be used to improve public transport, walking and cycling links to
encourage people to leave their car at home.
The funding will deliver the first major step in the Council’s vision to
transform travel in Sheffield and make it possible for more people to
choose walking, cycling and public transport first. The reduction in a
reliance on car journeys, is a priority for the city’s future, not only to
help ease congestion but to help address climate change and improve air
quality in Sheffield. Future funding will support further schemes brought
forward in subsequent phases.
Lower traffic levels have been seen during the pandemic as people have
taken to walking and cycling on more journeys. It is hoped that this
continues, as changes to travel infrastructure are prioritised.
The first phase of the project will focus on key areas that have been
identified as locations where people are making short car journeys from
home to work in the city centre and Lower Don Valley, including Neepsend,
Kelham and Nether Edge. The proposed schemes will enable these to be made
more safely by cycling, especially for shorter trips, and more quickly and
reliably by bus.
The Transforming Cities Fund will focus on improving travel links through
the following schemes:
Across the city centre
Neepsend & Kelham to the city centre
Nether Edge to the city centre
Magna to Tinsley
The city centre to Attercliffe and Darnall
On Abbeydale Road and Ecclesall Road
More information on the individual schemes can be found on the Connecting
Sheffield website, at bit.ly/ConnectingSheffield.
All of the proposed schemes will be subject to public consultation, and the
feedback received will help to inform the development of the routes
identified. Under the current terms of the funding from the Department for
Transport, all work must be completed by March 2023.
Councillor Bob Johnson, Cabinet Member for Transport and Development at
Sheffield City Council, said:
“Connecting Sheffield is a major first step in overhauling our transport
network to put walking, cycling and public transport at the forefront of
travel choices available in our city.
“We know that for lots of people, travelling by car is sometimes the only
feasible way of getting from A to B, but we want to make sure that walking,
cycling and public transport are realistic options, especially for getting
to work and for shorter journeys.
“It is disappointing that we did not receive our full bid for funding from
the Government. Equally, we could never deliver everything we want to in
this first phase. Other schemes will come in later phases. However, these
projects still represent a major first step in developing our plans to
create a more inclusive and diverse travel network that over time will
transform how people move around Sheffield.
“Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic we have seen an increase in walking and
cycling as people have taken the time to get outdoors and explore both
their local communities and our wonderful parks and countryside, and we
hope to make it possible for more people to continue to do this.
“Despite current restrictions, bus services will also remain a crucial part
of our transport infrastructure into the future, helping thousands of
people to get about. Although improving travel infrastructure may not seem
like a priority right now, this work is vitally important in making sure
our transport system is fit for purpose so that people can get to work,
access services and visit family and friends now and in the future.
We know we have a long way to go to get where we need to be, but we are
excited to be able to make a start.”
Dame Sarah Storey, Sheffield City Region Active Travel Commissioner, said:
“I am delighted to see Sheffield launch Connecting Sheffield which will
deliver their active travel plans over the coming years. We have been
working closely with Sheffield City Council to enable their ambitions for
walking and cycling to become a reality. Back in July our new
infrastructure standards were adopted at the MCA and since then there has
been some impressive work going on to deliver suitable schemes that will
offer active travel alternatives for short journeys within Sheffield."
Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said:
“The Transforming Cities Fund will help to achieve our ambition of a
transport system for South Yorkshire that is fit for the 21st century.
“By enabling walking and cycling, and improving public transport, these
Connecting Sheffield schemes will reduce congestion, improve air quality
and allow people to live more active lives, which will improve their mental
and physical health.
“Revolutionising how we travel to include modes which are beneficial to the
health of both the planet and our people is vital as we develop a stronger,
greener and fairer economy and society for South Yorkshire.”
Martin McKervey, Chair of the Sheffield Property Association said:
“Our cities are evolving. Both investors and people living and working in
cities are increasingly looking for quality of life, a city that’s easier
to get around and people friendly, with a cleaner environment. Sheffield is
ideally placed to deliver on this but it needs the right infrastructure in
place. That’s why we wholeheartedly support this new vision for Connecting
Sheffield and look forward to hearing more about the detailed proposals.”
For more information about Connecting Sheffield and for updates on the
schemes visit bit.ly/ConnectingSheffield.
Central Officer | November 13, 2020 at 6:49 pm | Categories: Uncategorized
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