No one is sure what causes type one diabetes, but a virus that mainly affects children is believed to be the most likely cause and Crosspool community has been very supportive in raising funds for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
51 bus service: First has admitted that it falls short on punctuality
First, the operator of Crosspool’s main bus service, has admitted that the 51 falls short on punctuality at certain times of day.
The operator carried out a month-long review of the service and identified several issues that the timetable doesn’t adequately allow for.
In response, a more resilient new timetable is being designed and extra buses and drivers will be deployed to improve the service. These changes will be implemented from late October to coincide with any route changes arising from the current Sheffield Bus Partnership consultation.
If these changes don’t make a difference then Crookes ward Councillor Geoff Smith intends to hold a meeting with First to discuss the 51 bus service. In the meantime, he will be at the next Crosspool Forum Open Meeting on Thursday 26 July if anyone wants to make any comments.
Full information from First regarding the 51 bus service below:
We’ve just completed a month’s study of issues and factors affecting the punctuality of the 51. Inputs to this have been:
Satellite bus tracking data that records a time at every bus stop on every journey.
Observations of traffic and other delays.
Journey monitoring to simulate the passenger’s experience, i.e. waiting at bus stops, travel on buses at times of delay (identified from above).
Comments from bus drivers, passengers and supervisors.
The conclusion reached is that, yes, the service does fall short on punctuality at certain times of day. This review has perhaps been long overdue as for key periods during the day the timetable lacks the robustness to withstand the external forces exerted on it. Having said that the journey time within the timetable does expand and contract to reflect known delays but here are a few examples of issues that we don’t adequately allow for.
The start of the school day at Crosspool, the operation of the crossings and the characteristics of the school time bus journeys. That certain buses encounter large numbers of children travelling out from the City and then encounter similar numbers from Lodge Moor. So a delay to Lodge Moor through this, the school run traffic and the crossings and then the same on the way back.
Peak traffic around the hospitals and University remains at buoyant until 0930-1000 hours.
Similar characteristics exist at the end of the school day to those at the start but it’s perhaps more intense as there’s less of a stagger.
Crossing Brook Hill roundabout continues to be a source of significant delay particularly when travelling out from City. Traffic crossing the roundabout from right to left slows entering Upper Hanover Street and obstructs the exit from Broad Lane.
Traffic queues on Rockingham Street at peak times.
Difficulty negotiating Mappin Street due to parked vehicles.
You may have noticed that on the Sheffield Bus Partnership consultation there is a proposed route change to avoid Broad Lane.
So where do we go from here? Well, hopefully the above route change will be implemented, together with a new timetable that is presently being designed. The new timetable will be much more resilient, incorporating longer journey times to reflect delays and greater recovery time at Lodge Moor before departure on the next journey. More buses and drivers will be required to operate it but deployed to maintain the present level of service where we’re falling short.
I hope this is good news. The date of introduction is 28 October 2012 to coincide with the launch of the Sheffield Bus Partnership. Generally, during the summer period there is an improvement in punctuality anyway as school and university related traffic subsides.
Players from Ranmoor Badminton Club pick up their awards
Ranmoor Badminton Club is proud to have been selected by the Sheffield Badminton League as the 2012 Club of the Year.
Club members attended the awards dinner at Abbeydale Sports Club where they collected four out of five plastics league titles and the overall prize.
The club meets each Friday evening at Tapton School. If you’re interested in getting involved then visit ranmoorbadminton.blogspot.com or call 0114 268 4090.
The 51 bus could go via West Street instead of Broad Lane to improve its reliability as part of proposed changes to Sheffield’s bus network.
It would mean that the drop-in medical centre on Rockingham Street would no longer be included on the route.
Changes to ticketing arrangements are also on the table including a single ticket to let you to travel anywhere across the city, even if you have to change buses. The cost of a day ticket would also come down by 70p to £4.30.
The damaged manhole cover in the precinct is finally due to be repaired on Sunday
The damaged manhole cover in the middle of Crosspool precinct will finally be repaired on Sunday 24 June.
The manhole – also known as a Gatic box – is the property and responsibility of National Grid. A spokesperson explained the reason for the delay:
This is a bespoke box, which due to the chamber and apparatus contained beneath it, has to be manufactured accordingly to the size, content and road type. We apologise for the length of time and any inconvenience that this has caused.
Sheffield City Council was informed on 20 April about the damaged manhole and since then traffic cones and ‘keep left’ road signs have been placed to ensure the area is avoided by traffic and pedestrians.
Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg answered Crosspool residents’ concerns at a constituency question-and-answer session on Friday.
Over the course of an hour in Hallam FC’s Sandygate clubhouse, the Sheffield Hallam MP responded to queries regarding the economy, jobs, the High Speed 2 rail link, the Leveson inquiry and the PFI project to renew and maintain Sheffield’s roads.
Questions were also asked about specific Crosspool issues. After describing their experience of travelling on the 51 bus route, one resident asked: What are the government’s plans to encourage provincial commuters to move back to using public transport? Watch the video below to hear Nick Clegg’s response:
He also responded to queries regarding the government’s policy on catchment area placements being within walking distance of local schools. Listen to his answer below (audio only):
The subject of the lack of bus shelter at the Vernon Terrace bus stop was also raised. Although local councillors are continuing to look into this, the deputy prime minister promised to also take it up.
Local residents had been invited to the Q&A via a leaflet through their letter box.
Premier League champions Manchester City will send an under-18 team to Sandygate on Monday 16 July as part of Hallam FC’s pre-season preparation.
The Countrymen are also due to play Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday 24 July and Sheffield United on Monday 30 July. For these types of fixture, the Owls and the Blades often send a team of youngsters or reserves.
Sandygate games in bold. Check with Hallam FC for confirmed details before you set off.
Tuesday 3 July Worksop Parramore (a) 7.45pm
Monday 16 July Manchester City (h) 7.45pm
Tuesday 24 July Sheffield Wednesday (h) 7.45pm
Saturday 28 July Harborough Town (a) 1pm
Monday 30 July Sheffield United (h) 7.45pm (provisional)
A former British taekwondo champion and European bronze medallist and his wife are setting up a new taekwondo club in Crosspool.
Champions Taekwondo will take place 6–7pm every Thursday from 14 June at Benty Lane scout hut.
It is run by Scott and Joanne Graham, who are Crosspool residents with children in local schools. Joanne explained: “We offer a safe and friendly learning environment with the emphasis for children being on the fun aspect of learning, allowing them to progress without pressure.”
Taekwondo is an ancient Korean martial art, with a focus on kicking and self defence. Practitioners can expect to gain greater degrees of fitness, flexibility, concentration and confidence, which can be important for childrens’ development.
Adults and children, from beginners to advanced, are welcome. The first lesson is free then it is £4.50 per lesson afterwards.
Williamson Hardware in Broomhill: under threat from closure
Broomhill institution Williamson Hardware could be forced to move from its current location on Fulwood Road to make way for a Sainsbury’s supermarket.
The landlord of the building is attempting to conclude the tenancy and has applied for permission to modify the unit, including changing the use of the first floor from office to retail.
Williamson Hardware has been trading in Broomhill for 52 years. A Spar exists three doors down and a 24-hour Select and Save supermarket is located at the top of Glossop Road.
Crosspool residents can post their views on the proposals on the Sheffield City Council planning website. The application can be viewed online along with all the associated documents under planning reference 12/01352/FUL.
All eyes are on Crosspool tonight for the 2012 Hallam Chase.
At 8pm, runners will set off from Hallam Football/Cricket Club’s Sandygate ground, go down Den Bank through the Rivelin Valley and up to Stannington church, before returning by the same route. The run 3¼ miles long, with 800 feet of climb.
The Hallam Chase is an annual event organised by Hallamshire Harriers and hosted by the Hallam Cricket Club. Race records go back to 1862. It is open to male and female runners who are a member of a south Yorkshire running club. There is limited entry on the day (subject to places being available) – although you won’t be eligible for prizes.
Nick Spinks and Dean Drabble
Last year, 48 runners set off to cover the gruelling route on a bright and dry Tuesday night. First to the church was Dark Peak’s Brian Greaves, but he was eventually overhauled by Handsworth Road Hog’s Dean Drabble who won the handicapped event.
A close battle then ensued between two of the city’s best distance runners, Hallamshire Harriers’ pair Rob Baker and Andy Thake. In the end Andy just held on to take the fastest man title in an impressive 22 minutes 7 seconds. Dark Peak Fell Runner Nicky Spinks won both the ladies handicap and fastest female title in a time of 28 minutes 49 seconds.
Crosspool News - crosspool.info 