Sheffield City Council have started a consultation on proposed transport improvements across the Upper Don Valley. There are wide-ranging plans included to help improve bus reliability, safety and accessibility, but there are also some proposals related to the trams – specially the timing of the tram and bus gate at Hillsborough and the introduction of a new restriction.
There has been a long-standing bus and tram gate at Hillsborough Corner with the timings that this is active have been altered in the past. There have been complaints about it as local businesses felt that it damaged their trade but it is now proposed that it is in operation between 0700 and 1900 Monday to Saturday (its currently in place between 0700 and 1100 and 1500-1900).
It is also proposed that a new bus and tram gate is installed on Langsett Road. This would also have the operational hours of 0700-1900.
As would be expected the fact that these bus and tram gates could be introduced has not gone down with local businesses. A petition has been created with over 750 signatures with the warning that they would risk the future of many businesses which would no longer be able to be accessed by cars during the day.