Traffic and local roads - February 1998

Given the place of the car in our modern lifestyle, it is not surprising that traffic, whether you are in it, or suffering from it, is one of the main concerns raised by local residents.
Pedestrians are the most vocal. It seems speeding has become endemic in our society, although ironically heavy traffic volumes and parking on the road - two other major concerns - have the side effect of slowing traffic down!
Again judging by our local motorists, footpaths are only natural extensions of the road. Originally pavement parking seemed restricted to shopping areas but has now spread down side roads often creating a real hazard. If only drivers would realise that if they feel the need to park partway on the pavement, they shouldn't be parking at this point in the first place.

Selfishness and lack of consideration for others concerns many and despite all the publicity about the dangers, drivers using mobile phones while negotiating dangerous places such as in front of the Twentywell Shops came high on the list.
Heavy lorries also provoke anger by their sheer intimidation and noise. And kamikaze cyclists who seem to think they are exempt from the laws of the road, ignoring traffic lights and stop signs, or switching from road to pavement when it suits.

You can readily understand why blind people have been seeking new legislation to stop cyclists using footpaths and to prevent motorists parking on pavements. Parked cars can prevent blind or partially sighted people walking safely, not just by blocking the footpath but by breaking and cracking paving slabs. Cyclists are also an unexpected hazard arriving without sound and surprising blind dogs.

Then there are the roads themselves, badly worn, and inadequate for todays traffic. To many it seems that the Labour Council conspires to make travelling to work even harder, funnelling everyone onto a few routes and ignoring bottlenecks and accident black spots such as the bottom of Twentywell Lane. How long since we were promised traffic lights here after a successful Liberal Democrat campaign.
It is a fact that Sheffield has the worst average rush-hour speed outside London a measly 17mph for the daily grind to work.
Finally public transport, or for many a lack of it. Do our bus routes really meet modern day needs. Are they sufficient to attract people out of their cars? And then Supertram!

Plenty of concerns then, but what to do about them. If you have any ideas or particularly strong views then let us hear from you for publication in our letters column.
And some good news. A £20 on-the-spot fine for cycling on the pavement comes into force this summer. Also Marks & Spencer are planning a trial in Sheffield of a scheme aimed at chargecard holders. These will be circulated with details of public transport timetables, and refunded fares within certain limits, when people spend more than £10 in one of their stores.

Ways of getting about - May 1998

As one grows older and becomes less active, any form of travel is less easy. This can often result in fewer visits to friends and to the shops, whether local or in the city. Older car drivers find life on the roads more demanding as the volume of traffic grows and road manners seem to deteriorate. One's ability as a driver also deteriorates, often faster than one realises, through lack of practice, slowing of reactions and poorer vision. So for those residents without a car, or no longer able to use one, can anything be done to overcome the difficulties?
Many people are unaware of the range of city's transport services directed specifically at those who are finding travel less easy and are therefore missing the opportunity to get about with less of a problem. Sheffield Community Transport has developed a variety of services for those who find it difficult either to use the normal public transport or for whom car driving is no longer possible.

The DIAL-A-BUS service uses minibuses which have normal seats and places for wheel chairs. It will collect you from your home and runs to the city centre or Meadowhall. It will later bring you back to your doorstep. The standard fare is 30p. You do need to register for it by telephoning 275 0777. The service runs from Bradway to the city centre on Monday leaving at about 9.30am, and on Wednesday, leaving at about 10.45am. A similar service operates to Meadowhall on Thursday leaving about 9.40am. Return services leave the city centre at 1.00pm (Wednesday) and 2.30pm (Monday). The Meadowhall return service leaves at 1.30pm. Bookings can be made up to seven days in advance. Normally this service operates to and from the Town Hall. Because of the present redevelopment work in that area, it is currently using three nearby locations as temporary drop off and collecting points.

With the CITY-RIDE service, you can travel anywhere in Sheffield at a time to suit you but, for the extra flexibility, the charges are more. For example, the first mile will cost 35p and two miles costs 55p. The vehicles are fitted with normal seats and places for wheelchairs and can accommodate a powered wheelchair. You also need to register for this service (telephone 275 5766) and you can take a companion or escort if required. Journeys will usually be direct but there may be deviations to collect or drop off another passenger. Using an answerphone, booking can be made up a seven days in advance and the trip will be confirmed by telephone.

The Community Car Scheme uses a group of specially trained volunteer drivers who use either their own cars or special vehicles owned by Sheffield Community Transport. You can travel all over the city for shopping, hospital visits, education classes, etc. Longer journeys can also be arranged to visit friends or relatives or to go on holiday. Short distances by car cost 33p per mile whilst the longer ones are charged at 25p per mile. The charges for the special vehicles are rather more. It may be possible to use this Scheme for hospital appointments if an ambulance has been refused. For further details, ring 276 6090.

Access Car uses a small minibus with a ramp for wheel chair access. It operates both during the day and the evening and for the full seven days, 52 weeks of the year. In other respects, it is similar to the Community Car Scheme but the charges are somewhat higher than the car rates. For information, contact 276 6148.

For those who might find it difficult to walk around the city centre, Shopmobility provides three and four wheeled ride-on scooters free of charge. Training is provided at the collection point and you will not be allowed to go unless you feel fully confident. If you book in advance (telephone 281 2278), it may be possible to provide an escort to help you round the shops and through the streets. The scooters are available in Surrey Place car park (just off Surrey Street) from Tuesday to Saturday between 10.00am and 4.00pm.

Freedom Express is a new service using a specially adapted 40-seater coach with full facilities for wheelchairs. The coach is available for private hire by groups and will also be running a number of excursions during the coming summer. The coach, which has received funding from the National Lottery, has a toilet and a hostess service for drinks and snacks.

Details of the excursions can be obtained form the South Yorkshire Transport Executive office in Pinstone Street or from Sheffield Community Transport on 276 6148.

All of the services mentioned have been designed and thoroughly tested to make life more enjoyable for those who otherwise may have been largely confined to their homes. By using them, you can keep up to date with friends and see how the new shops and developments in the city centre is progressing. Why not give them a try?

Web site maintenance by
Stratton & English Software Ltd.