Montague Street isnāt just a stretch of tarmac; itās a vital access point for the people who live nearby and rely on its proximity to reach essential services and green space.
This quiet cul-de-sac served as a level, accessible route to:
The park
Sunderland Street GP surgery
The nearby pharmacy
Sheffield General Cemetery - a site of historic significance
These places are all adjacent to the blocked section of road which did not allow through traffic, but now, with the road closed for all parking, people must walk much further, often uphill or from paid parking, to get there. Sheffield is not Amsterdam it is hilly, especially in this area.
For people with:
Reduced mobility
Hidden disabilities
Short-term medical recovery
Elderly or caregiving responsibilities
The closure has meant exclusion from places these people used to access independently. For them it has cut off a peaceful, inclusive green space and made local healthcare harder to reach.
The council often promotes healthy, active travel, and sometimes closes roads to favour busses, cycling and walking. This is beneficial for those who are fit and able. But not everyone can cycle, and not everyone has the stamina to walk long distances AND many of these people are not classed as permanently disabled and entitled to privileged parking. Transport policy must serve everyone, not just the fittest or most politicaly organised.
Instead of allowing parking in a quiet, non-residential cul-de-sac, people who needed to park there are now being forced to park:
In PAID parking zones
Along busy and far more DANGEROUS roads
In front of residentsā homes where parking pressure and conflict are far more likely.
This isnāt just inconvenient;Ā itās inconsiderate, unsafe, and unsustainable.
It is not just local residents who are affected. Sheffield General Cemetery is a site of national and local heritage. Visitors from across the city and beyond come to learn, reflect, and explore the history and perhaps their own family history.The current unnecessary access restrictions make visiting unnecessarily difficult for many coming by necessity by car from further afield.
This is about more than one road:
Itās about accessibility
Itās about fairness
Itās about being listened to
No consultation was held. No evidence has been shown for the claimed ādangerā. Forcing people to park and take their family, including the elderly, children, and pets, across a busy commuter route road is likely to be far more dangerous to the public. Many residents, including those with real health and mobility challenges, have been left out of the decision entirely.
Even trying to raise awareness of the issue has been made harder. The council's ePetition system is poorly designed and difficult to use. Itās hard to find, hard to share, and doesnāt allow direct links to a specific petition. Despite repeated attempts to share it, people give up trying to sign, or never even see it. This lack of transparency and usability prevents legitimate concerns from reaching the people in power.Ā