City bus gates made permanent after trial

The Arundel Gate bus gate was first introduced in 2023

Two city centre bus gates are to become permanent features following a trial.

The gates, on Arundel Gate and Furnival Gate, limit access to motor vehicles other than buses and taxis.

Drivers who flout the regulations face fixed penalty notices and a fine after a Sheffield Council committee decided the restrictions should be made permanent.

Councillors heard that annual levels of nitrogen dioxide were above the legal level on Arundel Gate until the bus gate was introduced.

Earlier this year the council said it was planning to introduce a mini roundabout on Arundel Gate, after it was revealed more than 62,000 drivers had been fined for travelling through the bus gate in one year.

The council's transport, regeneration and climate policy committee was told this remains the local authority's intention.

The Furnival Gate bus gate was introduced as part of road changes made during the pandemic to reroute buses from Pinstone Street, which is now pedestrianised.

Anti-idling measures have also been put in place on Arundel Gate, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Under the rules, bus drivers have to turn off their engines when stationary for more than the two minutes allowed while picking up and dropping off passengers.

Fixed penalty notices can be issued to drivers who do not comply.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]