Private bus company Stagecoach have agreed to increase capacity on the busy 52 bus route to Walkley and Hillsborough after complaints from campaigners and local councillors. The company has confirmed it will operate a double decker service on the 52 route at all times and will be monitoring capacity following timetable changes. The announcement follows talks between the company and Labour councillors. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Hillsborough councillor George Lindars-Hammond.
Passengers’ anger at bus service reductions in Walkley and Hillsborough has led to calls for bus services to be returned to the control of local authorities. Hillsborough councillor George Lindars-Hammond told Sheffield Live! that rising fares and cuts in services were unacceptable and that the private companies responsible should be brought into public ownership. Azz Mohammed reports.
South Yorkshire’s Freedom Riders organised a standing rally today outside Sheffield’s train station to demand railway bosses reinstate the elderly train concessions passes and to celebrate the campaign’s fourth anniversary. The group was formed in 2014, when free local train travel was taken away from elderly and disabled pass holders. Campaigners persuaded South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive to reinstate the concession. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
The Siberian cold blast, dubbed the Beast from the East, has led to many school closing and caused widespread travel disruption. More than 550 schools across Yorkshire closed on Wednesday as a result of the wintry conditions. An amber weather warning still remains in place across the country. In South Yorkshire, some roads were also closed due to heavy snow fall. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to drivers on South Street in Park Hilll.
A campaign has been launched by residents in the north of Sheffield to improve transport connections to Meadowhall shopping centre following recent cuts to bus routes. A petition has been started via the Sheffield Council website and is gathering support including the backing of Steve Wilson, councillor for East Ecclesfield ward. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
A new park and ride facility has been unveiled in Tinsley at IKEA Sheffield. The development was one of the conditions of planning approval for the furniture store and brings a total of eight park and ride facilities now available across the city. There is no cost to use the parking but commuters have to pay the price of the tram ride. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Carlisle Street, one of the quieter routes into Sheffield, is gaining such a reputation for dirt and dangerous conditions that some cyclists are now avoiding it altogether. The mile long road is frequently covered in mud and dirt from nearby commercial premises and Sheffield cyclists are calling on business to clean up their act. Sheffield Live reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to cyclist Phil Harrison.
Sheffield Council plans to introduce a twenty mile speed limit in the city centre as part of the cities renovation programme. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed asked members of the public for their views.
The South Yorkshire Freedom Riders held demonstrations outside Barnsley Interchange and Sheffield train station to call for free travel to be restored for pensioners. The rally sought to bring pressure on South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) and train operating companies to reinstate free travel passes. It also marks three years since the campaign group was founded. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to transport campaigner George Arthur.