‘Accident waiting to happen’ – concern at lack of pavement along busy Sheffield road

“I wish to protest in strong terms at what I see as the high-handed treatment of pedestrians in a south-westerly direction, from Bridge Street’s junction with Derek Dooley Way, towards West Bar, and vice versa.

“Big, hefty warning signs, at least from the end closer to West Bar, announce: ‘Footpath closed’ and ‘Use footpath opposite’. This is across six lanes of traffic, three in each direction!

“I think this shambolic situation is an accident waiting to happen, and see it as my duty, to warn other pedestrians, of this danger.

“Some 100 yards of pavement has been made out of bounds, outside a building site where Bowmer Kirkland is building a high-rise eyesore.

“Really high boarding separates the site from the pavement, yet it seems to be us pedestrians that have to make such a risky detour!

“By contrast, on Pond Street in the city centre, near the Penny Black, the authorities have generously allowed about a third of the proper pavement, for us peasants who have to go about on foot.

“I would suggest one, or more, of the following measures, to mitigate the obvious dangers to life, the bureaucratic removal of this right of way has caused:

* A temporary reduction in the permitted speed of motorised traffic towards West Bar;

* Temporary closure of the nearside traffic lane;

* The temporary supply of interlinking metal safety barriers.

“I would suggest that Bowmer Kirkland is well-financed, if it is building a high-rise, and ought to be approached to contribute to any costs the above safety measures might entail.

“Finally, doesn’t the city council have a say any more in the decision making for important pavement closures like this?”

Simon Rawlins

Foxhill, Sheffield, S6