Major transformation work begins around Attercliffe in Sheffield
Sheffield City Council says they want to make it Sheffield's 'newest neighbourhood'
Attercliffe has the potential to create up to 3,000 new homes and around 1,500 new jobs over the next 10-15 years, breathing new life into the area along with investment and opportunity.
To prepare for the arrival of this exciting new future for the area, the transport infrastructure needs to adapt to offer people a genuine choice in how they get around.
This includes upgrading the overall public realm along the High Street and improving safety for the large number of school children travelling to and from the two major schools nearby.
Work has already started on two sites critical to shaping how Attercliffe moves by improving streets, routes and public spaces. Connecting Sheffield: Attercliffe – Darnall – City Centre will make it easier and safer to travel between communities, support local businesses and help ensure Darnall and Attercliffe benefit from this long-term transformation.
Councillor Ben Miskell - who's the Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council - says:
"The Lower Don Valley area of Sheffield has always played a key role in the success of the city, from the factories powering our world-famous steel industry, to the transformation that took place in preparation for the World Student Games back in the 90s. The area is undergoing another major regeneration, making it an attractive, safe and green community.
"As part of this vitally important work, we must upgrade the transport network. We know people want more choice in how they get around, and these improvements will do exactly that - making streets in the area more welcoming and people‑friendly.
"Our aim is to make it easier and safer for people to cross the road and to support those who want to walk or cycle shorter journeys. With two large schools nearby, improving road safety is crucial so children can travel to and from the classroom safely every day.
"The project will also strengthen connections: linking the area to the city centre on one side, while creating new routes into and out of Rotherham on the other. And it’s not just about transport—enhancements to the public realm on Attercliffe High Street will help create a vibrant, attractive high street, giving the area a positive image and a stronger gateway into the city.
"What we are creating here are people‑friendly, prosperous streets."
The project will focus on creating safer, more attractive streets and will make walking, wheeling, cycling and using public transport more reliable and easier to use, helping to improve the health of those in the area, and cut congestion.
Jonathan Wilson is the Managing Director at Citu:
"Attercliffe Waterside is about ambition through intentional regeneration, it’s about creating a new neighbourhood which feel connected and built for everyday life.
"A great place to live depends on how people move around day to day, and these improvements to walking, wheeling and cycling routes, alongside better public transport, will make it easier for existing and future residents to get around safely and sustainably.
"They’re a vital part of bringing Attercliffe back to life and delivering the first new community here for generations."
Residents will have a greater choice in how they reach local shops, workplaces, schools and the city centre, this will also improve access to jobs and services across the area.
Other improvements include:
• Creating a vibrant and attractive Attercliffe High Street, generating a positive image and gateway into and for the city, including introducing new planting where possible.
• New and improved crossing points to make it safer and easier for pedestrians, including outside local schools.
• Bus priority improvements to make journeys more reliable throughout the area, as we prepare to take back control of buses in Sheffield through bus franchising in 2027
• Safer separate cycle routes linking Darnall and Attercliffe to the city centre and the wider cycle network.
• Helping to tackle congestion as part of Sheffield’s first ever Red Route by preventing inconsiderate parking by those who park on the carriageway, pavement, and verges.
• Additional loading bays for businesses and improved signage to free car parking
Rachael MacLeod is the North-East Primary Regional Director at Oasis Community Learning:
"At Oasis Academy Don Valley, the safety and wellbeing of our young people will always be our highest priority.
"We are confident that the improvements taking place along Attercliffe High Street and in the surrounding area will have a meaningful and lasting impact on our students, their families, and the wider community.
"These changes will help ensure that every child can travel to and from school safely, while also creating a more attractive and welcoming environment for everyone who lives and works nearby.
"We’re pleased to be working alongside Sheffield City Council to help make the most of these vital enhancements for our community."
The first phase of improvement work has started, reshaping transport in the Lower Don Valley area with the section between Staniforth Road/Attercliffe Road and Worksop Road the first to be transformed.
As part of the first phase:
• Northbound carriageway, leading away from the city centre – this will be temporarily closed with the southbound carriageway, leading towards the city centre, remaining open and to be used as a one-way single lane route for traffic moving away from the city centre, whilst construction takes place
• Southbound traffic – this will be diverted via Newhall Road and Brightside Lane.
• All businesses and public buildings along the affected route will remain open as usual throughout the project including the Mosques during the holy month of Ramadan, with extra signage informing people that business remain open.
This part of the project is expected to last 15 weeks with work taking place between 7.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday in order to minimise disruption.