Active travel upgrade for Sheffield’s Castlegate
Work has started on the next phase of the Connecting Sheffield programme, this time on Castle Street, to create a more welcoming city centre for walking and cycling around.
The improvements are due to complete next spring and are being led by Arup as designer and Aureos on construction.
The council said the work will make access easier to the growing Castlegate area and the new Castle Hill Park. The first phase of work will focus on the area around the junction of Castle Street, Waingate and Haymarket. This phase is expected to continue until early November 2026 and will include the removal of the central splitter island on Waingate, alongside drainage and underground ducting works. These improvements will help prepare the area for a new junction layout, upgraded footways and new controlled pedestrian crossings.
To allow the work to be carried out safely, Waingate will be closed to uphill traffic during this phase. Clearly signed diversion routes, temporary parking restrictions and traffic management measures will be in place throughout the works.
Cllr Alexi Dimond, chair of the transport committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “We appreciate that construction work can cause some temporary disruption and would like to thank residents, businesses and visitors for their patience while these improvements are delivered.”
Ed Clancy, South Yorkshire’s active lives commissioner, said: “The best streets are ones that give everyone the freedom and confidence to get around; however they choose to travel.
“The improvements to Castle Street will make walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport safer, easier and more attractive, while creating much better connections into Castlegate and the new Castle Hill Park.”
The programme includes upgraded bus stops with improved shelters and live journey information, safer pedestrian crossings, wider and better-quality walking routes and a new two-way cycle route connecting with other city centre cycling infrastructure.
The project is being delivered by Sheffield City Council and funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
