information line: 0845 303 0343
email: penistoneroad@smartroutes.co.uk

The following is a text only version of the initial proposals from October 2008:

The proposals are for improvements to Penistone Road between Wadlsey Bridge and Shalesmoor. The proposals include junction changes, bus lanes and improved pedestrian crossings.

Starting from Wadsley Bridge, and moving towards the city, the proposals are as follows:

At Wardsend Road North, there would be an improved pedestrian crossing but it would not be signal controlled.

Wardsend Road North to Beeley Wood Road: the inbound section of Penistone Road North would be widened to make space for an additional lane. This new lane would provide a dedicated bus lane.

The bus lane would use advance stop signals. These signals would detect a bus approaching the end of a bus lane and halt general traffic, allowing buses to join the main flow. The signals would be specially designed to give buses priority without disrupting general traffic.

There would be a new dedicated traffic lane to provide a signal controlled right turn into Beeley Wood Road.

There would also be new signal-controlled pedestrian crossings on Penistone Road and at Claywheels Lane.

Leppings Lane roundabout would be replaced by a signalised junction.

Penistone Road (northside): There would be a dedicated right turn lane for access in to Leppings Lane from Penistone Road North.

Herries Road: The exit from Herries Road, would be widened to two lanes: one for turning right, and one for going straight ahead. The little used left turn would be removed, to allow for a signal controlled crossing of Penistone Road. There would also be new signal controlled pedestrian crossings across Herries Road.

Penistone Road (southside): The zebra crossings on Penistone Road would be replaced by signal controlled pedestrian crossings. It would no longer be possible to turn right onto Herries Road as not allowing this turn would improve the flow for other traffic.

Leppings Lane: the road would be widened to accommodate an additional lane as a dedicated right turn into the service station. This would help reduce the risk of traffic queuing back into the junction. There would be two dedicated lanes for turning left onto Penistone Road and two dedicated lanes for going straight ahead onto Herries Road or turning right onto Penistone Road. The zebra crossing here would be replaced by signal controlled pedestrian crossings.

Between Leppings Lane junction and Herries Road South, the existing dual carriageway would be widened to include an additional dedicated inbound bus lane. This would relieve congestion from the dual carriageway. Again the bus lane would use advance signals to help buses merge with general traffic.

The junction at Herries Road South would remain unchanged.

This junction at Parkside Road would also remain unchanged.

Parkside Road to Owlerton Green: the outbound carriageway would be widened from a dual carriageway to three lanes. The additional lane would be a dedicated outbound bus lane ending just before Parkside Road, allowing other road traffic wanting to turn left to move to the near side.

Access to side roads between Parkside Road and Owlerton Green would remain the same.

Owlerton Green: the lanes used to queue to turn right into Owlerton Green, towards Hillsborough Corner, would be extended by removing some of the central reservation. This would relieve the congestion here which currently delays other traffic trying to travel straight ahead, towards the city centre. There would be slight improvements to the pedestrian crossings here as part of the changes to the road layout.

The area between Owlerton Green and Hillsborough Barracks is well known for being one of the main congestion hotspots along this road. The proposed changes are focussed on relieving congestion at this busy point on Penistone Road.

Bradfield Road to Capel Street: the outbound carriageway would be widened to include an additional bus lane which would run from Capel Street towards Bradfield Road, with a short break to allow traffic to turn into the Barracks.

Hillsborough Barracks: the proposals aim to greatly improve traffic flow and reduce delays at this highly congested junction. We are investigating the pros and cons of removing the right-turn out of the Barracks. The reason for this is that currently all traffic on Penistone Road has to stop, and wait, for traffic turning right out of the Barracks, causing big delays. There is a considerably lower volume of traffic turning right here than the volume of traffic travelling in any other direction.

This junction currently operates in three stages: the first is the main road only; the second is the right-turn into the Barracks and the left-turn out; and the third is the right-turn out.

The revised junction could operate in two stages: one for the main road and one for the right in and left out. Alternative routes for right-turning traffic are being investigated.

The revised junction could improve the left-turn out of the Barracks by providing 2-lanes and the right-turn into the Barracks by providing a longer right-turn lane. An additional pedestrian crossing would be built into the junction, the one from further up the road having been removed.

Bamforth Street: the right turn and straight on lanes exiting Bamforth Street would be widened to two lanes. This would make more space for traffic turning right. This junction would also include a new signal controlled pedestrian crossing across Bamforth Street.

Bamforth Street to Hillfoot Bridge: a new outbound bus lane would be added to the existing dual carriageway. The road would be widened partly from the central reservation and partly along the inside verge. However, the existing trees in the central reserve would not be affected.

Hillfoot Bridge: just after the junction with Hillfoot Bridge, heading inbound, the right turn lane would be lengthened to increase capacity for traffic turning right to access Flora Street and Infirmary Road.

Gilpin Street to Shalesmoor: the road would be widened for an inbound bus lane to run from the junction with Gilpin Street, across the junction with Rutland Road, up to the approach to the Inner Relief Road.