Double yellows putting off customers - traders

Double yellow lines have been introduced in Kelham Island and Neepsend to discourage city centre commuters from parking

Sheffield business owners say the introduction of double yellow lines in the area was "scaring off" customers.

The recent changes in Kelham Island and Neepsend have seen roads painted and pay and display bays installed just outside the city centre.

A petition calling on the council to reverse its decision has over 3000 signatures, with one local business labelling it a "disaster".

Sheffield City Council said it understood the concern from some businesses and said a review of the changes would take place in 12 months.

The parking scheme was introduced in June due to local concern the streets were being used for free long-stay parking for commuters working in central Sheffield.

It was also part of long-term plans to transform Kelham Island and Neepsend, providing 20,000 more homes in the city centre.

The scheme operates throughout the week, with marked bays allowing for both pay and display and permit holder parking.

Bev McMahon, who owns the Crusty Cob cafe in Neepsend, says her takings are down a fifth in the last week

Bev McMahon, owner of the Crusty Cob cafe on Percy Street, Neepsend, said the changes had already impacted her business.

“Takings are down 20% in the last week," she said.

"Nobody can get in because there’s double yellows everywhere - my lorry drivers, skip drivers and scaffolders have all disappeared because they can’t park up.”

Charlotte and Daisy White, sisters who own the SiS Beauty salon, in Mowbray Street, started the petition against the move.

Daisy White said: “It will definitely force some businesses to close - it’s a disaster.”

Charlotte and Daisy White, who run SiS Beauty in Neepsend, started a petition calling on the council to reverse the changes

Although the local authority has said businesses were entitled to two business parking permits, Ms White said it "isn't enough".

“We are still waiting for our permits, but even then you’re not guaranteed spaces," she said.

"We have to set off two hours earlier in the morning to make sure we get a spot, it's so stressful."

Ms White added: "Clients have said they’ve driven around for half an hour, couldn’t find a space so ended up going home.”

Brendan Biggin, from Kelham Barber, says clients are arriving late because they are unable to find places to park

Brendan Biggin, who works at Kelham Barber on Burton Street, said the "knock-on impact" from clients arriving late for appointments was becoming a "huge problem".

“It's scaring clients away," he said.

"People can't find a spot so they’re not meeting times, it’s becoming a nightmare because we're now always running behind - it's strangling independent businesses.”

Consultation sessions were hosted by the council at Kelham Island Museum in January, with the local authority changing the hours of operation from 09:00-15:00 BST in Neepsend.

Councillor Ben Miskell, council chair of the transport, regeneration and climate committee, said: “The new parking controls is not designed to push businesses out of the area - quite the contrary.

“I can understand the concern of some businesses surrounding these changes and we will carry out a review of them in 12 months."

He added: "Our ambition is for both areas to be a thriving place to live, work and enjoy with the new parking measures helping us achieve that.”

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