Decision

1. 1

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director, City Futures that sought approval to proceed with the Improving Neighbourhood Junctions trial.

The project aimed to make streets safer, more accessible and easier to use for people walking and wheeling. It would include a package of junction improvements, including side road zebra crossings, upgraded dropped kerbs, tactile paving and accessibility enhancements, to help people cross side roads more safely, travel more confidently and make independent everyday journeys. 

The project was expected to particularly benefit children, older people, disabled people and families, helping to create neighbourhoods that were safer, more inclusive and easier for everyone to move around.

The trial would also provide evidence on the effectiveness of side road zebra crossings in supporting safer and more accessible walking and wheeling environments.

1. 2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:- That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee:

(a)  approves proceeding with the Improving Neighbourhood Junctions trial project, including associated accessibility improvements, and

(b)  delegates the approval of the final design detail and delivery of the Improving Neighbourhood Junctions trial to officers.

1. 3

Reasons for Decision

1. 3.1

Sheffield’s Transport Vision and Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Investment Plan (adopted in April 2025) set out ambitions for neighbourhoods that are safer, healthier, more connected and easier to move around without a car.

1. 3.2

The Improving Neighbourhood Junctions project supports these ambitions by creating clearer and more accessible crossing points, helping residents move around their neighbourhoods with greater confidence, independence and safety.

1. 3.3

The project is expected to particularly benefit children, families, older residents and disabled people by supporting safer everyday journeys and improving accessibility across neighbourhood streets.

1. 3.4

The project will also provide valuable information on the effectiveness of side road zebra crossings as part of a wider package of measures designed to improve confidence, accessibility and safety for people walking and wheeling.

1. 4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

1. 4.1

Alternative Option 1:

Do not trial SRZs in Sheffield

Failure to trial SRZs in Sheffield would not contribute to Sheffield City Council's move towards walking and wheeling ambitions including its commitment to making Sheffield a “Pedestrian-Friendly City”. 

Sheffield would not gain an understanding of the potential of SRZs to increase walking and wheeling and to reduce costs by avoiding installation of Belisha beacons. Sheffield would also fail to capitalise on funding being made available from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to trial SRZs.

1. 4.2

Alternative Option 2:

Trial SRZs without any changes to kerbs and kerblines

Implementing SRZs without considering whether any changes to kerbs and kerblines are appropriate at individual sites could fail to address the safety and accessibility implications of the proposed crossings. 

Small entrance radius is recommended to reduce the speed of vehicles as they turn into or out of a side road, to increase the reaction time and decrease the risk of collision. Amendments to kerblines may be required to achieve a small entrance radius. To ensure the proposed crossings are visible and accessible by all users, minimum crossing widths are recommended. 

Amendments to dropped kerbs may be required to achieve the minimum crossing widths. The Welsh government has recently introduced legislation covering SRZs and has produced associated guidance. The guidance recommends a minimum dropped kerb width, where appropriate, to safely accommodate SRZs when retrofitting the crossings at existing junctions.