Category: environment

Posted on

Local Councillors Press for Clarity

Local councillors press for clarity on the Active Neighbourhood trial in Crookes and Walkley

Councillors have issued a statement about the Active Neighbourhood trial currently running in Crookes and Walkley. The councillors support the aims of the trial but say the implementation has been ‘unpredictable’ and ‘confusing’. At a meeting with the ​​Council’s Head of Strategic Transport and Infrastructure, (Tomorrow Tuesday, September 27th) they will call for more clarity to be given on the trial and for local residents to have a say on how it progresses.

A Joint statement from Ruth Milsom and Minesh Parekh (Councillors for Crookes and Crosspool ward) and Tom Hunt and Ben Curran (Councillors for Walkley ward):

“All of us want to live on streets that are safe for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists. We want streets where children are safe to play out and that aren’t busy cut-throughs. That’s why we support the aims of the Active Neighbourhood trial in Crookes and Walkley. It was set up to try out ideas for how to make streets more liveable.

“But right from the beginning we have heard serious concerns from residents and businesses. People who like the changes as, well as people who don’t, have all told us that the initial public engagement and design process should have been better.

“We are now three months into a six-month formal consultation period, and too many of the trial measures still haven’t been implemented.

“Residents are frustrated with the uncertainty about what is happening and concerned about the implementation of the scheme. We share those concerns. No-one is satisfied with the current situation, whether they like the trial or not.

“When we meet the Council’s Head of Strategic Transport and Infrastructure we will press him for clear proposals for implementation, better communications with residents, and a programme of meaningful public involvement. The trial will have better outcomes and more legitimacy if the next steps are clearly informed by local public opinion”

Posted on

20mph limits to improve road safety in Crosspool 

Crosspool is set to have 20mph speed limits in many residential areas as part of plans to improve air quality, promote road safety, and encourage active travel. 

Under the proposals, a part-time 20mph speed limit will also be in place outside of Lydgate Infant School in Crosspool to reduce traffic speed at drop off and pick up times. 

The plans are a continuation of the strategy to reduce the speed of traffic in residential areas across the city, creating a more pleasant and safer environment for the people living there. 

Cllr Mazher Iqbal, Co-Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said:

“The benefits of 20 mph zones cannot be understated – they make streets safer and more pleasant places for people to live, especially for children and more elderly residents, and massively reduces the likelihood of serious accidents and long-term health impacts caused by air pollution.

“We have introduced 20 mph speed limits in residential neighbourhoods throughout the city, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to rolling this out.

“But of course, we only want to do so when where residents want to see these changes, and I would like to thank all of the residents who took the time to take part in our consultation on these schemes and who have engaged with us on the plans to improve their local area.”

Plans to introduce 20mph speed limits in Crosspool and Woodseats will be presented at the first meeting of the Council’s Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee on Wednesday 15th June. 

Crookes and Crosspool Councillor Ruth Milsom said:

“It’s really positive that Crosspool’s new 20mph zone will now include Lydgate Infant School, where parents and staff have been asking for safety measures for a long time. As local Councillors we will be monitoring its impacts closely and working with the school and parents to see the effect it has in reducing the speed of traffic. 

“Through our Local Area Committee, we are also bringing in a movable Vehicle Activated Sign that will be sited on Lydgate Lane, Manchester Road, Cross Lane, Watt Lane, and Sandygate Road on a rotation, as part of our efforts to respond to residents’ road safety concerns and ensure that our roads are quieter and safer for everyone.”

Crookes and Crosspool Councillor Minesh Parekh said: 

“I’m really pleased that 20mph zones are being rolled out in Crosspool and across the city, so that we can reduce the speed of traffic and help create safer, calmer, and more pleasant streets for pedestrians and cyclists alike.“

“The council used to have a lot more funding to enact road safety measures, but since 2010, Sheffield’s overall budget has been slashed by £475 million – this is a huge 50% of its budget. As such services have been badly affected, including much less funding for road safety interventions, but last year councillors created a new fund to help make the city’s roads safer”.

Posted on

ALPACA LIFE DRAWING IS BACK!

Alpaca life drawing, tomorrow Saturday 23rd April, 14:00 – 15:30
Alpaca Drawing

Come down for an afternoon of Alpaca life drawing at Holly Hagg Community Farm of Alpacas. It’s the perfect setting to get creative and look at the lovely view of Rivelin Valley!
Drawing materials will be supplied but please bring your own if you can.
All drawing abilities and children are welcome to this session; you will be gently guided and given some fun techniques to try.
*Bring a blanket/chair or coat to sit on! We have a few spares if you forget though!
PLEASE NOTE! – If you look outside and it’s raining then please check our website we will have to postpone the event….we can’t draw when it’s soggy 😦
If you have any questions contact liahedwardes@hotmail.com or call 07504744758

Posted on

Snake Pass Partially Reopens

Safety first approach to the A57 Snake Pass reopening

A ‘safety first’ approach is at the heart of Derbyshire County Council’s decision to reopen the A57 Snake Pass with on-site monitoring continuing to protect all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.

The road was temporarily closed last month following a battering from Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin. The storms caused 3 sections of the road surface to drop, in one area by around 2 metres, leaving major cracks to the road surface and the risk of further landslips.

Following ongoing inspections and monitoring, the road has reopened to traffic with three temporary single carriageway restrictions at Gillott Hey, Alport and Wood Cottage. Traffic will be controlled by temporary traffic lights and a 20mph speed limit will be in operation.

To minimise any further damage to the road at the site of the landslips, HGVs over 7.5 tonnes will be asked to follow a signed diversion route using the A6013 / A6187 / B6049 / A623 / A6 / A6015 / A624 and vice versa.

The road will continue to be monitored using a hi-tech portable laser scanner to check for any further significant movement. Analysis shows that the movement of the road has considerably slowed to less than 20mm in the past week, giving engineers the confidence to reopen the road to cars and vehicles less than 7.5 tonnes.

During the temporary road closure, the Derbyshire County Council has used the opportunity to carry out general resurfacing works, pothole repairs and has rebuilt retaining walls damaged by February’s storms. Cracks in the road surface caused by the landslips have also been repaired using bitumen to create a flexible seal.

Historical records suggest that landslips have taken place along the Snake Pass with closures dating back at least 90 years.

Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal said:

“I’d like to thank everyone who usually uses the Snake Pass for their patience during the temporary road closure.

“We recognise many road users rely on this route for their businesses and day-to-day work. Following very careful monitoring of the road during the past 4 weeks believe we have a sensible approach to reopen the road while keeping all road users safe.

“The temporary traffic lights will enable us to protect the part of the road which has moved from any further damage. The drier weather will also help to significantly reduce the risk of any further landslips giving us time to monitor and identify a solution to repair the road, which will require Government funding.

“We have a responsibility to keep people safe on our roads which means that if we detect any further movement or risk of a landslip once the road reopens, we will, unfortunately, have to close the road.

“Please help us help you by allowing a little extra time for your journey, showing courtesy to other road users and keeping to the new temporary speed limit.”

The 12-mile section of the A57, known as Snake Road, is one of the highest roads in the Peak District and is used by more than 30,000 vehicles each week including 1,500 HGVs.

Posted on

Snake Pass Closed

A landslip following storms closes A57 Snake Pass

Snake Pass

In the interests of everyone’s safety, following damage caused by torrential rain as Storm Eunice and then Storm Franklin battered Derbyshire; the A57 Snake Pass has had to be closed.

Inspectors found movement in 3 locations along a mile-long section of the road and to protect road users a decision was made to close the road between Glossop and Ladybower Reservoir for at least a month. Visitor facilities at Fairholmes are unaffected and can be accessed via Sheffield.

In the meantime, local access will be maintained for residents. Drivers are asked to follow the diversion route through Hathersage, Hope, Doveholes, Whaley Bridge, New Mills, Hayfield and Glossop, and visa versa.

Posted on

Heart of Crosspool

“love”

Spreading the love since 2018!
The Ivy Heart of Crosspool currently displays “love” in lights! “Happy Valentine’s”

Scott Barton, the original person to shape the Ivy Heart on the wall of the Hallam football/cricket club wall on Sandygate Road said, “Having driven past the ivy more than once, it struck me that with a bit of trimming it could be turned into a heart. I roped in my pal, Ian Knowles who lives nearby, and did the original trim on Christmas Eve 2018, in the hope that it would make people smile.”

Hearts of Crosspool

When, on Valentine’s night 2019, it was all lit up with red lights, Jenny Hill and her hubby noticed the Ivy Heart and thought how lovely it looked and stopped to take a photo. Then through the pandemic lockdowns, thinking it really needed some love, Jenny contacted Scott, and they set about sprucing it up, giving it some new lights and a positive “Chin up!!

Since then Jenny, joined by her very creative friend Jo and her mum Anne, have had such fun creating every one of the twelve-plus seasonal heart changes they have fashioned up to now.

Jenny, Jo & Anne, love looking after the ivy heart and really appreciate all the wonderful Compliments, Thumbs-ups, Hoots and Smiles people give as they go past!

Posted on

Crosspool Christmas Tree Recycling

Crosspool Forum loves shredding real Christmas trees and encourages you, for a small donation, to recycle your discarded Christmas tree.

Andrew Clayton, a Local tree specialist, will provide Christmas tree recycling for the Community of Crosspool between 10am & 11.30am on Sunday 10th January 2021.

The Crosspool forum would like to take this opportunity to give a big thank you to ”Direct Travel”, for allowing us to use the space in front of their premises.

Please observe social distancing when dropping off your tree and suggested donation.