Cost of city pedestrianisation project doubles

The cost of pedestrianizing part of Sheffield city centre has almost doubled since work began, having gone over budget for a second time.

Alterations to Pinstone Street, including adding cycle paths, were originally expected to cost £14m when outlined in 2021.

However, that cost had risen to £21m by October 2024 and required additional funding from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to plug the gap.

Now, a council report said the work was expected to cost £27m after "a number of setbacks" had led to "increasing costs".

The scheme has attracted a number of criticisms, including from visually impaired people who said the plans, which would see cyclists ride alongside pedestrians, were dangerous.

Meanwhile passengers and local businesses also complained about the removal of busses from the route.

The council, however, said relocating buses from Pinstone Street had created a pedestrian friendly environment with "high-quality transport hubs" on Rockingham Street and Arundel Gate to reflect the changing nature of the city centre.

The report added: "The proposals included a number of bus priority measures, including bus gates, to reduce through traffic. This will ultimately provide benefits for bus operators and users."

The council admitted that support for the projected had flatlined, saying: "In 2021 there was significantly stronger support for the project with 63% of responses positive compared against 27%.

"However, updated results from 2024 show the feedback from public consultation is mixed with 71% of businesses providing neutral, or did not provide, feedback."

Meanwhile, plastic fences and bollards have reappeared on nearby Fargate – two months after a renovation scheme was finally completed following lengthy delays.

The council said the subterranean bins needed "bespoke guard rails" before they can be used and said they would be installed before the end of the summer.

Ben Miskell, chair of the regeneration committee, said: "The new bins have been installed to rid Fargate of those unsightly industrial bins that used to be dotted across the street. The Fargate redevelopment has really given the area the breath of fresh air it needed."

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