Another
big bite would be taken out of the Wicker. The junction at
the bottom of Spital Hill with Savile Street would be rebuilt,
and another new road would run from there, on the north side
of the Wicker Arches, and through them by means of a new bridge,
next to Brunswick Road. As we travel to and from the city
centre, we would have two major junctions to cross.
Planners
say the inner ring road needs to be completed. They have taken
the needs of pedestrians and cyclists into account as much
as they can. Brunswick Road would be closed to traffic and
would be improved to make a pleasant route for walkers and
cyclists. The Wicker between the new road and Lady’s
Bridge would be closed to traffic except buses, taxis and
cycles. Nursery Street and Blonk Street would have far less
traffic, so the riverfront should become more attractive.
Traffic planners calculate that traffic on Spital Hill would
be reduced by 22 per cent. Corporation Street would be widened
and become two-way again, making the route via Pitsmoor Road
into a practical way to travel into town. Greasy Vera’s
should be preserved and we will campaign for it to be given
listed building status.
So should
we welcome this development? Many people in Burngreave have
expressed reservations. The Messenger contacted Alan Burnell
of the Burngreave Buildings Group, who expressed a fear that
Burngreave will feel cut off from the centre of town even
more than at present, and that the perception from the centre
of Spital Hill as somewhere remote and unattractive will be
worsened.
Following
the recent consultation exercise, a planning application for
the new road will be submitted. It will probably be referred
to a public inquiry, so there will be plenty of opportunities
for local people to express their views. Can you think of
any ways that this development can be used as an opportunity
to improve the gateway to Burngreave? |
