🔹 What Happened?

Montague Street was closed to through traffic many years ago, and since then has only served local access providing parking - particularly for those using the park, Sunderland Street GP surgery, and the nearby pharmacy.

Around four years ago, the road was completely closed to vehicles. The closure was presented to the public as a temporary measure to facilitate improvement works on the adjacent park, and it was accepted by the public as justified and went unopposed. Temporary bollards were placed halfway up the road, and new double yellow lines were painted on the remaining open section. The blocked-off area housed site cabins, heavy equipment, and materials used during the work.

That work was completed around two years ago, and residents were told the closure was temporary. We accepted it in good faith. But two years after the works had completed, Montague Street remained closed, with no explanation or sign of it reopening.

I asked many people: park volunteers, council staff, and others, and nobody could give a clear answer as to why the road was still shut. In April 2025, frustrated by the silence, I made a formal complaint to the council.

Shortly after my complaint, the council acted, not by replying to me, but by issuing a new 18-month traffic prohibition order, citing a vague “likelihood of danger to the public” as the reason for it. I was not contacted or consulted. No evidence of danger was provided. The closure simply continued, now backed by an official notice.

After discovering this action, I made further enquiries and found that a small group of residents from the adjacent road, who oppose car access, had quietly lobbied the council to keep Montague Street closed. This appears to have taken place without any formal public consultation or transparency.

In response, I wrote to ten councillors; including those responsible for this area, those covering the adjacent wards, and leaders of the main political groups on the council. Despite the urgency and impact of the issue, I have received no replies from any of them.

A Visual History

Montague Street in 2014 and 2022. These are the supposedly "deadly" road users deemed such a danger to the public that they justified a permanent road closure. Many were simply visiting their GP, picking up prescriptions, or enjoying some time and gentle exercise in the park. 

The park works were already underway by October 2022, the fenced-off site is clearly visible in the photo.

At the time, people were led to believe the road closure was only a temporary measure to facilitate the project. Ironically, the excavator appears to be clearing leaves from the newly painted double yellow lines - presumably to enable enforcement of the 'temporary' parking ban, while leaving the footpaths untouched.

This view shows Montague Street on the left, what was Pembroke Street in the middle, and the GP surgery and pharmacy building (partially obscured by trees) at the top right on Sunderland Street.

There should be no conflict with cyclists on the actual road, as Pembroke Street was closed to motor traffic and converted into a cycle lane many years ago. It is just 35m away.

Now, however, people are being forced to compete with local residents for paid parking spaces and must cross a busy road just to access the area.

Prohibition of Vehicles Order

Did you know about this? How did you find out? 

SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL
Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (RTRA 1984) and Regulation 3 of the Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Procedure Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/1215)

Montague Street (Prohibition of Vehicles) Order 2025 (“the Order”)

1. Sheffield City Council gives notice that it proposes to make the Order under Section 14(1) of the RTRA 1984 and any other enabling powers over an area of the highway named Montague Street from approximately 60m from the junction with Cemetery Road for a further 40m in a northwesterly direction.
2. The Order is needed because of the likelihood of danger to the public.
3. The Order came into operation on 24 April 2025 and shall remain in force for a period of 18 months. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport. The restriction specified will only have effect at such times and to such extent as indicated by the display of notices.
4. While the Order is in operation: it will prohibit any person from allowing any vehicle to proceed in the areas of highway as described in paragraph 1 of the Order.
5. A copy of the draft Order may be viewed on request by contacting the Council on 0114 2734034.

Dated 1 May 2025

Sheffield City Council
Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield, S1 2HH

“Likelihood of danger to the public” !? is there any evidence that Montague Street is more dangerous than many simmilar other roads in Sheffield? Or is this simply an unfounded claim used to justify its closure?

If no evidence exists to support this claim, and it is the primary reason for keeping the road closed, then the closure is based on an incorect statement and should be reversed immediately. If this road can be closed with a vauge speculation of “Likelihood of danger to the public” then the council can close ANY ROAD using the same excuse.