16/02/2026
Anger and Frustration Over Attercliffe Road One‑Way Traffic Plan During Roadworks
Heated Reaction at Council Drop-In Meeting
Residents and business owners in Attercliffe expressed anger and frustration at a drop-in session held by Sheffield City Council on Tuesday evening at the Café Library on Leeds Road.
The meeting followed public outrage over council proposals to restrict Attercliffe Road to one-way traffic for nine months to allow the installation of a new cycle lane linking the city centre and the Lower Don Valley as part of the connect Sheffield scheme.
Businesses and residents fear these proposals will cause widespread chaos on one of the busiest routes in Sheffield, that is a main road to the M1 motorway, Meadowhall, the city centre and IKEA.
Many business owners proposed night-time closures as a proportionate alternative to full lane closures during peak trading hours.
The council has assured businesses it will signpost the free car parks on
Shortridge Street Car Park • S9 3SH and
Kimberley Street Car Park • S9 3WX, and also display business open as usual signs across the road to ensure minimum disruption to businesses and customers.
Businesses Caught Off Guard
Local businesses said they were shocked and horrified to learn of the planned lane closure after public transport users noticed a sign posted by Travel South Yorkshire outlining bus diversions for up to nine months, starting on the 12th of January.
Despite assurances at a meeting between the council and contractors AMEY, they failed to send information in December, prompting uncertainty and frustration among the business community.
It was only after businesses contacted the council for clarification that the authority postponed the works until 31 January, pledging to distribute information letters about the scheme.
Criticism of Consultation Process
Many attendees also criticised the consultation process, which was carried out during the COVID‑19 lockdown, arguing that businesses were closed at the time and unable to meaningfully participate.
Concerns were also raised that many respondents in favour of the plans did not live in Attercliffe. Majority of attendees felt that prioritising cyclists on such a busy road will be a recipe for disaster, and it will affect businesses in the long term due to the closure of key roads and restricting access to the free car parks.
Traffic and Business Impact
A key source of contention is the proposed permanent closure of Shortridge Street, the main access road to the Chippingham Street car park, one of Attercliffe’s busiest for shoppers.
Traffic would be diverted via Baltic Road and Shirland Way, leading, residents say, to significant congestion and reduced accessibility.
Businesses fear that nine months of restricted traffic flow could result in closures, job losses, and bankruptcies.
A temporary diversion on Attercliffe Road East last week resulted in significant disruption, with businesses reporting noticeable reductions in sales. This has heightened anxiety across the business community, as the proposed long-term traffic changes are expected to have far more substantial economic consequences.
Council Defends Its Position
Council representatives maintained that the work will begin on 16 February as scheduled and that no changes will be made to the proposals. The drop in session was labelled a ‘tick box exercise’ as attendees felt their views were not being listened to.
Next Steps: Possible Investigation and Protests
The newly formed Attercliffe Action Group is planning to refer the council to the Local Government Ombudsman and the Department for Transport for an investigation into the handling of the scheme.
In addition, a series of peaceful protests are being organised.
Some residents and business owners have drawn parallels to the city’s tree‑felling dispute and the 2023 Lowcock Inquiry, which found that the council and contractor AMEY had engaged in “deceitful behaviour” and failed to communicate transparently with key stakeholders.
Any businesss or residents that are affected by these proposals can contact Attercliffe Action Group via email @ [email protected]
