Bus gate puts local businesses under threat

By Liam Bend

Traders are calling for a restriction on the Wicker bus gate operating hours as its putting financial strain on Sheffield businesses.

Since changes in the Wicker road plan last year, cars are no longer allowed to drive in the bus lane that runs alongside the shops preventing passers by a parking space or drop off point to pick up the shopping.

The city centre, south and east planning board has been forced to act and change its decision resulting from a petition that collected 2,047 signatures of local workers who want action by reducing the amount of time the gate is used from 24 hours to a possible 12 hours between 7pm and 7am to encourage trade.

But Sheffield Council head of highways John Bann says decreasing the operating hours is not the answer, and could result in fatal consequences;

“Changes would increase the number of vehicles making a turn banned turn across the pedestrian crossing, putting people at risk.”

The problem Bann suggests is the pedestrian crossing that is to the left of the junction at Wicker and the inner ring road outside the city centre.

No left turn is permitted but that doesn’t stop some drivers making the forbidden move through the pedestrian crossing when both lights are on green.

Bann suggests preventing fatalities comes before revenue but Martin Bennett, of Associated Chemists based near the junction, can’t understand the council for not acting already;

"It's just a really negative approach. The officers are lacking the willpower to make a change, they don’t appreciate the need for every customer because their job is different but we need money to live.”

"Unfortunately, it looks as though it'll be less likely the restrictions will now be relaxed but it is up to the councillors and we hope they will stick to their guns."

Pav Ahmed, of local store Raja’s Pizza also feels aggrieved “This is unbelievable. You can’t tell me there is no safe way to open the bus gate at night, to give the local community more revenue.”

“A petition was taken and that means the officers should find a way to make it happen.”

The survival of the Wicker stores is crucial for its community; John Goode has been a resident in Wicker for over 35 years and reiterates the importance;

"Local stores must be supported by its community. There are lots of family run businesses in Wicker and if these go they could be gone forever, this could prove disastrous for the local economy."

This along with the new Tesco's express being opened 12 months ago below the newly built student accommodation shows that the area isn't helping itself get through the current dramatic economic turndown.

But however hard residents like Mr Goode try to argue against the bus gate; the planning board have not changed their plans of discussing Mr Bann’s conclusions on the issue in the coming weeks; for some local businesses though this may be too late.

Just remember Local Businesses need you to survive just as much as you need them.