Work to tackle serious subsidence on A57 Manchester Road continues

Temporary traffic signals on Manchester Road
Temporary traffic signals on Manchester Road

During Crosspool Forum’s April Open Meeting, it was reported that the temporary traffic signals and roadworks on the A57 Manchester Road are one year old this May.

The work is the result of a serious subsidence problem which has spread significantly since it was first identified and is now affecting the retaining wall.

Although it may appear to regular users of the road that little has been done other than the siting of temporary signals, Amey has been monitoring the subsidence and has drilled several boreholes as part of its investigations. It appears that the problem is more complex than originally believed, meaning further surveys have been required.

Two options have been identified to stabilise the ground and stop further subsidence. The first involves driving concrete pilings, twelve metres in length, into the ground to support the embankment.

The second, reported recently in the Sheffield Star, uses electricity. The method involves inserting electrodes into the ground: the electrical current stabilises the ground beneath by altering the properties of the rock and soil. This method has been used successfully in similar situations and may be an option for the A57.

Our councillors and Amey inform us that the work is due to start in May or June so we may have seen the last of the chicane by the end of summer.

Do the electronic speed signs on Manchester Road really work?

Manchester Road speed signs return
Manchester Road SIDs

Drivers on the bottom end of Manchester Road will have noticed the electronic speed indication displays (SIDs) return last month. We got in touch the council to find out what data about traffic speeds the SIDs have collected.

The speed limit for this stretch of road is 30mph. The idea is that the SIDs slow cars down by making drivers aware when they are driving at unsafe speeds.

The data below from previous periods when SIDs have been installed on Manchester Road shows a reduction in average speed when they are present:

Period Average vehicle speed into town Average vehicle speed away from town
No SIDs on site 34mph 31mph
February 2011 31mph 29mph
July 2010 31mph 27mph

The SIDs on Manchester Road will be there for an eight-week period before they are rotated to another site by the Central Community Assembly.

Electronic speed signs return to Manchester Road

Last week the speed indication displays returned to Manchester Road.

As well as showing drivers how fast they are going, the signs display a happy face for vehicles travelling under the speed limit and a sad face for those exceeding it.

The idea is that they slow cars down by making drivers aware when they are driving at unsafe speeds. The speed limit for this stretch of road is 30mph.

Speed indication displays were installed in a similar locations on Manchester Road in July 2010 and January 2011.

Background information about Manchester Road speed signs

Manchester Road speed signs return
The electronic speed signs on Manchester Road have returned

Gareth Hewitt live at St Columba’s on 15 November

Gareth Hewitt live at St Columba's on 15 November
Gareth Hewitt live at St Columba’s on 15 November

Garth Hewitt, founder of the Amos Trust, will be performing in Crosspool as part of his UK tour. You can hear him at St. Columba’s Church, 503 Manchester Road on Thursday, 15 November at 7.30pm.

Garth will be singing songs and telling stories from his new album, Justice like a River. The songs are inspired by Amos’s partners around the world. From surfing street children in South Africa to grassroots educators in India, from frontline farmers in Nicaragua to creative campaigners in Palestine.

The show is described as ‘an evening of entertainment, encouragement and challenge to make the world a better place.’

Tickets from St Columba’s Church Office (0114 267 0006): £7, or £4.50 concessions.

More recycling delays for Crosspool

Manchester Road
Manchester Road: recycling should be collected tomorrow

Crosspool households on Manchester Road and Ringstead Avenue are still waiting for their blue bins and boxes to be emptied today.

Veolia have advised that they should all be emptied tomorrow (Tuesday).

Two weeks ago there were also delays to Veolia’s recycling service, with 12 roads in our area not having their recycling collected on the scheduled day.

Beautiful South and Housemartins singer’s Crosspool memory

St. Columba's church, Crosspool
St. Columba’s church, Crosspool: the location of one of Paul Heaton’s first musical memories

Paul Heaton from The Beautiful South and The Housemartins has been recalling memories of St Columba’s youth club in a BBC radio documentary.

In today’s The First Time With…Paul Heaton programme on BBC 6 Music, the singer-songwriter described the youth club disco at St Columba’s on Manchester Road as the location of one of his first musical memories:

“My brother and his mates were allowed to go and I was under 12 at the time so wasn’t allowed in. Me and my middle brother sneaked to the edge of the door and looked underneath it. They were playing The Jean Genie by David Bowie.

“At the time wooden stacked heels were in fashion. My brother and his mates were all doing this dance, banging their stack heels on the floor. It was unbelievable. The noise of them banging their stack heels was louder than the music itself.”

You can listen again to the programme for seven days. St Columba’s is mentioned around 2 minutes, 45 seconds in.

Police appeal for information regarding collision on Manchester Road, Rivelin

Local police are appealing for witnesses of an accident on Sunday afternoon:

On Sunday, 15 July, at approximately 3.05pm, a yellow BMW S1000 motorcycle driven by a 39-year-old man from Doncaster was travelling towards Sheffield City Centre along Manchester Road, Rivelin.

On approach to the waterworks, police believe that the driver of the motorcycle was in the process of overtaking several stationery vehicles when it collided with a blue Honda Jazz driven by a 64-year-old woman from Stannington that was completing a right turn manouvre into the entrance of the waterworks.

The rider of the motorcycle received serious injuries including the amputation of his left thumb.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information, is asked to contact the police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, quoting incident number 749 of 15/07/2012.

Appeal for information regarding Road Traffic Collision on Manchester Road, Sheffield

Manchester Road roadworks could last until 13 June

Temporary traffic lights on Manchester Road
Temporary traffic lights on Manchester Road

Temporary traffic signals have gone up on Manchester Road, causing delays to commuter traffic.

The area affected is between the junction of Tapton Mount Close and Tapton House Road. The work by Yorkshire Water is scheduled to last until 13 June 2012.

A bus stop on the south side of Manchester Road has also been temporarily moved further up the street to accommodate the roadworks.

More information on the work from Balfour Beatty:

This work is being carried out as part of our ongoing schemes to renew water mains throughout Yorkshire in order to help prevent bursts and boost the drinking water quality.

This work consists of renewing a section of 4 inch cast iron water main at Manchester Road between Fulwood Road and Tapton House Road which will take approximately 8 weeks to complete.

We will be starting work 8 May 2012 at the Junction of Tapton House Road, progressing towards the junction of Sale Hill using 2 way traffic lights for safety. The work between Sale Hill and the junction of Fulwood Road will only be carried out on Sundays or during school holidays using 3 way traffic lights for safety.  Traffic lights will be manned at peak times to aid with traffic flow.

We understand the inconvenience these road works and traffic management cause to motorists but hope you appreciate this is in place for everyone’s safety while we carry out these essential water improvement works.

Travel South Yorkshire travel disruptions