Improving Public Transport in Sheffield and Rotherham

Pell Frischmann is pleased to have been working with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to manage the design and business case development work for seven bus lane schemes in Sheffield and Rotherham. The aim is to optimise public transport and reliability in these areas.

The scheme will see Pell Frischmann implementing bus lane improvements in Rotherham on the following corridors: A631 Bawtry Road; A630 Doncaster Road and Whinney Hill; A629 New Wortley Road Bus Gate; College Road Bus Gate; and A631 / A618 Whiston Crossroads, including Broad Street in Sheffield.

Various scheme options have been developed as part of the preliminary design:

  • Improvement of signage, road marking, and lining: Will ensure compliance from other road users.
  • Extension of existing bus lanes: Will reduce the number of buses idling in traffic congestion before entering the bus lane.
  • Enhancement of bus gate signals: Buses will be allowed to continue their routes prior to the movement of general traffic.
  • Implementation of new bus lanes: In areas with heavy traffic congestion, this will improve bus journey times and reliability.
  • Widening of the existing carriageway in specific locations: As a result, buses will have priority alongside existing general traffic.

Construction is set to begin in May 2026, followed by the opening in November 2026.

Adam Lechmere, Pell Frischmann’s Highways & Transport Technical Director said:

This project will provide new bus priority measures along several key corridors in Sheffield and Rotherham in order to reduce journey times and improve service reliability. Pell Frischmann has recently developed preliminary design options and produced a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for submission to South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMC). The next stage of the project will see us progressing the scheme through detailed design and preparation of an Outline Business Case for funding approval.

We look forward to working with SYMCA to alleviate congestion for both residents and visitors in Sheffield and Rotherham. This initiative aims to enhance bus patronage, making public transport a more attractive option for everyone.