Uncovered river to be a 'real treat' - council

Part of the River Sheaf in Sheffield has been hidden underground for more than 100 years, but has now been brought back into daylight

New images of what a formerly hidden city centre river could look like when it becomes a major feature of a new park have been revealed.

A section of the River Sheaf in Sheffield, which had been hidden underground for more than 100 years, was originally brought back into daylight earlier this year.

The uncovering of the Sheaf is part of a wider project to create a new public park and events space on the site of Sheffield's former castle, which is due to be opened late next year.

Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of regeneration at Sheffield City Council, said being able to get close to the river once again would be a "real treat" for people after it had lain unseen for over a century.

One new artist's impression of the uncovered Sheaf shows the right bank of the river with a series of terraces down to almost water level, allowing people to experience it at close quarters, as well as allowing regular maintenance and emergency access.

It is expected that the river channel will be transformed by the removal of the 6.5ft (2m) high Castle Orchard Weir to create a series of gently rising pools, allowing fish and wildlife to traverse this reach of the Sheaf to and from the River Don, as well as providing habitat for birds, insects, fish and mammals.

The uncovering of the Sheaf is part of a wider project to create a public park on the site of Sheffield's former castle

A spokesperson for Don Catchment Rivers Trust said the work "removes the first and perhaps the biggest barrier to fish and wildlife passage into the Sheaf and Porter system".

Another image shows an embankment slide for children to enjoy the new landscape and a new footbridge to allow walking, wheeling and cycling access to the park from Exchange Street.

Simon Ogden, chair of the Sheaf and Porter Trust, described the new images as an "exciting vision" which had emerged from a "collaborative process" between the council's design team and other organisations such as the Environment Agency, the trust, and other river specialists.

Once completed, the park was expected to feature remains of the 12th Century Sheffield Castle, which will be on display for the first time since it was demolished in the 1600s.

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