reGion’s mayor convenes transport summit

South Yorkshire and regions like it were promised a ‘London-style transport network’ by 2030. That’s just over 350 weeks away.

But with bus cuts looming, and cancelled trains making commuting miserable for thousands across the North, many places feel further away from that than they ever were.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard is convening a Transport Summit, to build the vision for the future of the region’s public transport.

A transport network which serves South Yorkshire’s needs is key to a betterconnected, more sustainable and healthier region.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “Fixing South Yorkshire’s public transport system is critical for our region to thrive.

If we want to grow our economy, get healthier and create great places to live, a smarter, greener, faster public transport system is vital. That’s why I want to bring together experts in the field to help us fix our broken public transport system.

“If the Government aren’t going to do it, we need to take matters into our own hands and figure out what a ‘London-style transport network’ that works for

South Yorkshire looks like.

That’s what this summit will help us do.”

South Yorkshire’s Active Travel Commissioner Ed Clancy said: ‘Since becoming South Yorkshire’s Active Travel Commissioner, I’ve met with people who want to walk and cycle more, but don’t feel like they can. Mostly that’s because people say they don’t feel able to walk or cycle, or that they don’t feel safe enough to do so on our current infrastructure.

“Ultimately, we want people to be happier, healthier and get to where they need to be easier.

“I believe walking and cycling is an important part of that and it must work in harmony with our plans for buses, trams and trains. I’m really looking forward to this summit and to figure out how we make some vital changes to build a better future for our region.” The summit will bring together leading experts and will hear from a series of speakers with national and international experience to share best practice, discuss ideas and find solutions to fix the broken public transport network.

The South Yorkshire Transport Summit will take place this Wednesday at the National College of Advanced Transport & Infrastructure in Doncaster.

Sheffield road closures plan in bid to focus on pedestrians and cyclists

Roads in parts of Sheffield could be closed to cars to make the area more cyclist and pedestrian friendly, the city's council has said.

Under the plans, the road layout at Neepsend, Kelham and the area around West Bar would be changed.

Road closures, one-way streets and banned turns are among the proposals.

decades, but is now ready for a change.

Furniture Clearance Warehouse started out in 2000, in a tiny store on Attercliffe Road, across the road from the Banners building, selling a range of items from TVs to exercise equipment, toys to pots and pans. The shop was an immediate success and within a couple of years gave to bigger premises in the old Co-Op building on The Moor behind Redgates. The business traded here happily and successfully for several years until the council decided the building was required for other purposes.

After 23 years of trading Furniture Clearance Warehouse is closing its doors. The owner, David Perkins has successfully run the business for over two decades, but is now ready for a change.

In 2006 the company moved again to the old Doors and Floors Galore warehouse on Attercliffe Road and traded for around a year before the

Furniture Clearance Warehouse also known as SWAG, first started out in 2000, in a tiny store on Attercliffe Road, across the road from the Banners building, selling a range of items from TVs to the business to relocate, this time to a much larger location on Coleford Road in Darnall, where they are currently based. These premises are 50 times bigger than the original store and focusses solely on selling furniture. This also saw the business change names to Furniture Clearance Warehouse. Although all these years later, customers still refer to them as SWAG.

But business owner Matthew Windle said he feared the planned changes would "kill trade" for firms after the recent launch of the city's clean air zone.

Sheffield City Council introduced its clean air zone on Monday, with drivers of taxis, vans, buses and coaches which do not meet strict emissions standards now being charged to enter the city centre. If the new proposals for road layout changes go ahead, further footpaths and new cycle lanes would be created and a pedestrian crossing installed at the junction of Neepsend Lane and Rutland Road. Meanwhile, work at West Bar would include a new roundabout prioritising pedestrians and cyclists, as well as cycle lanes on West Bar and Tenter Street and an upgraded ring road crossing, the council said. transport to be accessible, reliable - and one of the first things people think of when planning their journey around the city." us for years and they will no longer be able to navigate to our garage," he said.