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We've
put together an online gallery of the plans, alongside pictures
of the current station area.
You
can also meet one of the sculptors of the Cutting Edge, which will
be one of the main focuses of the new station square.
And
you can also take a look at a large-scale map of the whole station
area - and click on specific areas to get a better view.
Will
the plan project a better image of Sheffield to visitors? Will it
make the area more pedestrian friendly? Is it adventurous enough?
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Here's
a selection of what people had to say when the proposal was
put forward.....
What do you think?
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Craig
- Catcliffe
Nice, ambitious, looks great... BUT Taxi rank is too small
as it is let alone when re-done, there already is a bus interchange,
whats going to happen to that? Guess in the not too distant
future we'll be looking at plans to re-develop the current
interchange. Who dreams up these ideas? They obviously have
not thought it through fully
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neil
- Hong Kong
The whole area is exciting, the bussiness park, the station
and as a Sheffielder living in Hong Kong, I would love to see
Sheffield raise it's status and become an international city.
Just be careful we don't make the same mistakes as Manchester
and lose our heritage and our personality as a city. |
Richard
- High Green Sheffield
The midland station is so much better since they actually spent
some money on it - long overdue! Doesn't alter the fact that
the trains are still late, dirty and overcrowded. Not much changes
- a lick of paint can't work miracles |
Chris
Southeran - Sheffield
I really like the plans but some of them need to be reviewed.
Maybe a clean-up of the station maybe? |
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Gareth
- sheffield
I have a revolutionary new idea, stop debating the subject,
knock down the whole area between the station and arundal
gate (except the university buildings), create a central traffic,
bus and pedestrian link between sheaf street and arundal gate
(a new howard street), re-locate the bus station onto the
NMB land. Create a new covered walkway/mall between the bus
station and high street, containing specialist shops, thus
providing the centre with some competition to meadowhall.
So far an excellent modern gateway.
Youre
now thinking, ok then, what should be built. Simple, on the
land next to the station, there should be a landmark building,
say 15-20 floors of offices or maybe that 5 star hotel that
people dont seem to want next to the winter gardens, lets
face it, logistically, if your a businessman going by rail,
which hotel do you use, the one in the middle of a strange
city, or the one right next to the station? the rest of the
land, and there is lots of it, should be used to build new
office buildings and new public facilities (im open to suggestion
on what kind), varying in height. To provide character each
one should be completely different yet complement the station,
the winter gardens and the proposed heart of the city development
architecturally. After the new retail quarter this leaves
a huge proportion of the city centre that can be restored
and maintained to its original `victorian` styles of architecture.
What
does my idea leave us with? A fine mixture of new and old
that beats manchester and london.
Potential
for travel companies to better intrgrate their timetables
and routes.
A
fine new commercial district that will attract inward investment
from all corners of the globe.
As
someone pointed out, we cant move the station, so lets move
create first class offices and hotels near it. Failing that,
hire the people who planned canary wharf instead of the current
regeneration teams.
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Joe
Taylor - Sheffield / Manchester
I'm a Sheffield resident currently studying for a degree in
Manchester, and I must say that every time I come home I feel
a twinge of despair at the eyesore that is our station. I don't
know if any of you have been to Manchester lately, but over
the last three years Piccadilly station has been almost entirely
rebuilt, and is now quite frankly the best facility of its kind
in the country. Also, those who are worried about the new pick
up/drop off point should take a look at how a similar system
works in Manchester! I do, however, share the concerns of those
who pointed out the difficulties of the walk from the car park
to the station - perhaps the plans should include some sort
of covered walkway between the two, or, even better, a travelator?
That
aside, the plans for the station area look excellent. Removal
of an ugly roundabout, new pedestrian walkways, the demolition
of Sheaf House, a water feature and an excellent new sculpture.
How could anyone complain?
Finally,
are there any plans available for the proposed refurbishment
work to the station building itself? I've been very impressed
so far with what's been done (the new overbridge, shops and
Supertram link) and I can only hope that the work will continue
in a similar vein!
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Mat
- Rivelin Valley, Sheffield
Sheffield station has always been small, dirty and in a poor
position related to the city centre. But as the whole thing
can't be moved then the council is limited to giving one more
facelift to the existing mess. The fact is that the station
is in an area that is best described as unsightly and many bulidings
in the area need to be introduced to the business end of a couple
of tons of explosives. But please, if something is to be done
to the station and the surrounding area make it extensive, coherant
and practical for god's sake. |
Martin
- Sheffield
It's somewhat interesting to see how the city centre has evolved
- and I use that term loosely! I think it's a great idea to
develop the area outside the train station - if only a little
overdue. I refer to the comments submitted by another reader
- see below.
"A
great idea. The council should be applauded for such a positive
and ambitious step. Just a quick message to the usual WHINGERS:
get a life! You're holding this city back with your constant
whinings about absolutely ANYTHING! This city is going places,
either accept it or move to Rotherham!"
Well,
it's easy to say people are just 'whiners'. Having been a
resident of Sheffield all my life, I genuinely care about
the look and feel of the city centre as a whole. How many
so called planners/urban regeneration specialists must have
come and gone through the hallowed doors of the Sheffield
Council offices, having had their two penneth worth of input
into this so called regeneration.
What
Sheffield requires is a clear, cohesive vision of where it
wants/needs to be as a major city. We all know the effect
Meadowhall has had on the city centre. Sheffield's answer
of late seems to be the erection of some obscure sculpture,
yes it will look nice for a couple of years - then we'll be
back where we started - the drawing board. I'm sure the monstrocities
erected on 'The Moor' were a revelation in terms of regenerating
the businesses located in that area.
To
encapsulate the needs of all its citizens and visitors to
the city, Sheffield requires a clearer vision of where it
wants to be in terms of architecture and culture.
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Kristel
- Sheffield
Yes please! Anything you can do to improve the station area
is appreciated! |
andrew
- sheffield
A revamp of sheffield is great but to rid of the bus station
is disastrous. What ever happened to an integrated transport
policy creating satellite bus stops does not do this, it will
create more road chaos, knowbody will know where to go especially
on a cold winters day who wants to get off and train and walk
to high street to catch a bus. Ok they do at the moment but
only cos the people who plan the services havent got a clue
what they are doing. Look at High St its a nightmare double
parking of buses to cross the road you have to negotiate a busy
road and tram track. Look at Arundel Gate its starts two lanes
at the Novotel thinning to one lane at the Gallery creating
road rage between the buses and cars cos they havent a clue
who has the right of way, then going back to two lanes. As I
say the planners havent a clue. |
Eric
- Sheffield
Passing through the station everyday on my way to work I have
always wondered what could be done to turn that square in something
that makes you say, yes! we have arrived in that great city
of Sheffield. Not something that says, oh my God, what could
possibly come next, as I experienced on my first working day
here some 8 years ago. The design of every single building apart
from the station is an absolute disgrace, on the cheap, simple
design with absolutely no consideration of aesthetic values.
If you want to do it properly knock everything down around the
square. It looks like the Student Union will go, great news,
please also ensure you include the Hallam Science Park in your
demolition plans, that must be the building with the least esthetic
value around the station square. In my hometown we've got something
similar to that being used as a canteen and changing rooms for
our local football team. Whatever the final design will look
like, please ensure some decent buildings will replace whatever
currently borders the square and please, please ensure it is
not of the kind like the new carpark, my goodness, what is that
all about. Especialy those green wrought iron bars on the sides
seem like a desperate attempt to convince us that the developer
really heard of the words 'aesthetic value.' I personally believe
a large windswept square is the last thing Sheffield would benefit
from, we simply don't have the climate for that. A functional
square is required absolutely but don't make it too big and
ensure it is bordered by some attractive and stunning architecture
that makes it more cozy, inviting, that makes you look forward
to the rest of the city centre. want to explore the rest of
the city centre. |
Ann
- Norton Lees
Whilst I agree that some improvements are necessary in the area.
Please no daft sculpture that blocks the views, encourages graffiti.
Could we think a little about the elderly, disabled both young
and old, mothers with prams and young children those without
cars who need to walk. No good doing all this pretty pretty
stuff if the basic needs are not met. i.e. good ,clearly marked
and clean bus stops trains and buses that run on time and to
suit the needs of people not those who run them. Less pandering
to the money people. More car parking above ground NOT MULTI
STOREY as a woman driver I would not touch them with a barge
pole, somewhere they have corner, dark bits, steps or lifts,
not all with CCTV or security. We already have one paddling
pool in town with the Fountains in the Peace Gardends, not another
please. When its fine you cannot see the beauty of these fountains
for people running in and out of them. Another IMPORTANT point
where are all the space specif! ically for the disabled and
another thing what about the toilets we have not got a decent
public toilet in the city centre one end its tin pans etc. narrow
cubicles and rather dark, Town Hall has steps, Orchard Sqare
was closed for a long time, no wonder the shops get fed up of
people using theirs. We can pretty things up all they like but
what about an occasional sweep of the bridge over the road near
Ponds Forge or getting rid of the big puddles on the pavement
that is always outside the shop at Ponds Forge whenever it rain.
Cleaning up the ends of each platform in the station as the
trains enter thats the first view people get of Sheffield as
the train enters the station not the outside entrance hall.
Please think about at least one flat street car park for those
people who need it. Trying to keep the traffic out of the City
Centre completly just keeps out the people too. I could go on
but enough for now. |
Bob
- Sheffield
As someone who travels through the area daily by road I am concerned
about the proposal to block off the exit from Paternoster Road
on to Sheaf Square. Where is the traffic that uses that route
supposed to go in order to get on to Sheaf Street? I expect
we will be forced to go in completely the wrong direction to
get to go via already very heavily congested ring road. |
Tracey
- Sheffield
I think the plans need a major rethink. Whilst they might look
nice, I agree with the comments about blocking off the view
of the station frontage. More than that, however, I am concerned
about the current closure of all nearby surface car parks around
the station entrance, particularly the drop off point. I used
the station the other evening - it was 拢4.50 to park for
3 hours, the multi storey was a real hike, such places are horrible
to use, especially at night, the walk was open to the elements
- need I go on? Could the planners please remember that when
people use the station, they need easy access by car to drop
people off/pick them up. The proposed access seems completely
inadequate, and remote from the ticket hall. My poor mum, for
example, cannot walk very far and to ask less mobile station
users to drag themselves from where they're dropped to the platforms
is as logical as putting the tram stop where it was previously.
I
agree that Sheffield folk seem to moan about every development,
but, like others in the city, whilst welcome in the sense
of 'prettying' up the town, they all seem designed to prevent
people moving around freely and easily. There's no point walking
out of the station into a stylish little square if you've
then got to drag your bags 100 yards before you can get to
a car or a taxi. And has any thought been given to improving
bus stops outside the station for the same reason - at the
moment, you have to walk to/from the bus station - all very
well if you're young and fit, the bus was on time and you're
not running late...
Please
rethink the car parking and the access - it's going to be
such a bottleneck and Sheffield is bad enough for traffic
flow as it is. There'll be so much stress and parking rage
with people queuing to get to the tiny drop off point with
a long walk still to go to get to the trains, stressed about
missing their connection. Some people may only think of the
aesthetics but whether we like it or not, people need to use
their cars to get about and that needs to be made as easy
as possible if this is truly going to be part of an integrated
approach to travel.
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Andy
- Banner Cross, Sheffield
I'm pleased to see provision of a drop off and pick up point
at the station. I often have take/fetch my elderly parents from
the station. The old pick up point was fine, then it disappeared!
My parents found the walk to the new car park very tiring. Don't
scrimp on the size of the pick up point: make it plenty big
enough for a dozen cars at least, plus taxis! |
Mark
Collinson - Liverpool
I contacted Quintain by email and had a reply back advising
that they are looking into regenerating the complex. That probably
means 'no' then! |
David
- Sheffield
I was wondering if the bbc could find out from the council what
is happening to the Roxy/Odeon as there seems to be a few messages
on this site citing their displeasure at the buildings!! |
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成人快手
South Yorkshire writes:
Hi David,
We've
received the following response from the Council:
The complex of buildings comprising the former Roxy ballroom,
the NCP car park, the Odeon and the public steps, walkways
and shopping areas in between are all known as the EPIC Building
which is owned by a property company called Quintain. Although
some 25 years old and currently rundown, the complex has in
the past provided an effective solution to getting people
up from public transport and other facilities in the Sheaf
Valley to the central shopping and entertinment streets.The
NCP is the largest single multi storey car park in the City
Centre and serves the Fargate shops and the Theatres and Cinemas
around Tudor Sq.
The
Council have therefore encouraged Quintain to bring forward
refurbishment proposals for the building to bring empty floorspace
back into use as a hotel, shops and cafes and to recreate
a safe, covered and attractive route via lifts and escalators
from Pond St to Arundel Gate. This proposal received planning
permission some two years ago and a start is still awaited.
As
part of the same plan the Council have largely eliminated
the subways which previously led into the building under Arundel
Gate in favour of surface level crossings.
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Sean
- Sheffield
A great idea. The council should be applauded for such a positive
and ambitious step. Just a quick message to the usual WHINGERS:
get a life! You're holding this city back with your constant
whinings about absolutely ANYTHING! This city is going places,
either accept it or move to Rotherham! |
Neil
- Halfway
The plans for Sheffield station look really impressive, also
im glad to hear that they will be patrolled by guards 24/7.I
do agree with Dave that something needs to be done with the
Roxy/Odeon, these buildings are an utter disgrace!! |
Malcolm
- Sheffield
What ever Sheffield Council do to improve the city is a bonus.
But lets get things right first by putting the roads in order.
the viaduct closed this week and confusion reigned all over
Sheffield because this. For the past two weeks there has been
an accident on the M1 near Woodhall services once again everywhere
in Sheffield suffered in the early morning and for most of the
day, with people coming off the motorway and using the main
road between Meadowhall and Chesterfield. Visitors from out
of Sheffield hardly want to sit in traffic jams all day. We
do have the busiest motorway network outside London and Birmingham,
Cant something be done about this first. I agree with Paula
form Heeley, about the pathetic entrance and exit to such a
visited city. |
Becky
- London
I visit Sheffield regularly - and always by train - so am interested
in seeing any plans for improving the station. The Cutting Edge
sculpture looks very exciting. It looks like it certainly would
be a striking image to greet visitors. Hopefully it would also
be inspiring to the people of Sheffield as well as showing that
not only does the city have an impressive industrial history,
but that it continues to produce good modern designs and has
the courage to shout about them. |
chris
- sheffield
No, no, no, no, no to the stupid, idiotic, cheap, nasty, shoddy,
badly thought out "sculpture"! This daft wall will block a)
the view of the way into the city centre for people leaving
the station, and b) block the view of the attractive victorian
station frontage from the road! It's about time that the people
in charge in Sheffield stopped accepting this sort of tat from
the same sort of lazy thinkers who gave us the contents of the
NCPM and the Dome. "Sheffield, err, stainless steel cladding"
these brainless idiots say, without even bothering to engage
more than three brain cells. Good grief. Why can't we just have
good quality buildings made from good quality materials like
local sandstone, a simple square in front of the station leading
people naturally up Howard Street toward the city centre? |
Dave
- Sheffield
Its a nice proposal but you are going to have these wonderful
new buildings but what about the block where the roxy is. The
thing is derelict - if it wasn't for that superb chippy the
whole block would be desolate. What is the council doing about
that ? Seems pointless to throw all that money at the station
and the rest of the area just depresses it. |
Helen
- uni of sheffield
i think its great the city is getting a long ovefdue revamp..
.the station has looked shoddy for ages and its important to
improve it since it is the first thing most visitors to the
city see. If its as good as the peace gardens and winter gardens
i'll be well chuffed! |
Mark (Hallam Student) - Sheffield
The plans look great, I can't wait to see the work start! |
andyc - Sheffield
I looked over the plans last week in the tent on Fargate. I
think the steel blade idea needs revisiting. People like to
walk directly to where they are going; this herds them like
sheep across what will be a wet and windy open space. Another
observation is that most people I know either get dropped off
or take a taxi to and from the station and the provision for
dropping off passengers in front of the station is far too small
and inadequate and will cause chaos as taxis fight for space
with cars. Also, the proposed taxi rank and walk to the car-park,
(which is actually 100 yards from the station), is not covered
and therefore, not protecting passengers from our lovely British
elements. Try doing that short walk with heavy suitcases in
the Winter rain. A little unpleasant and unnecessary. A little
more thought needs to be given to the plans. I would also like
to place a bet that any of the pavements and walkthroughs that
get laid will not stay down for more than 6 months before some
utility company needs to dig it up again which seems to be continuously
the case for most of the city centre. |
Lucy
- S15
Another city center masterplan. How many is that since the 60's?
Will look great if it's pulled off. But then again the past
record of the city planners doesnt lead to one being overly
optimistic! |
David
Hughes - City Centre
The people of Sheffield must also help, as with the comments
here. Ultimately, Sheffield will look a lot better when people
don't drop litter or gum, and complain at friends who do. |
Ed
Parrett - Salford
Great idea. But will passengers want to walk through the beautiful,
new look 21st Century city to board the unreliable, third world
standard trains? Unfortunately not very likely as proved at
Manchester Picadilly! |
Linda
- Sheffield
The Hallam Uni is planning to replace the NMB with a new Cultural
School to incorporate the students presently at Psalter Lane.
So the whole area in front of the station will change due to
that for a start. If the two sets of planners worked together
(for a change) then we might see an end to the poor lost travellers
who get off a bus or train and can't see the centre of Sheffield,
let alone work out which way to walk to get to the shops! One-way
entry and exit for cars and taxis to drop off, are you mad?
It is congested enough around there at the moment without funnelling
all the traffic down Suffolk Street and round the new car park.
My suggestions: 1. No sculptures blocking the views towards
the city from the station. 2. Knock down Sheaf House and the
NMB and make a clear route towards the city past the (pretty)Howard
Hotel. But remember that hill is steep for older and disabled
people. 3. Co-operate with the Hallam Uni. There is an ideal
route through the gap between the Norfolk Building and the Adsetts
Building towards the town centre for ramps and escalators -
Use it!! |
Mark
Collinson - Crosby, Liverpool
It looks good and will provide a better gateway to Sheffield.
All that needs now is to improve the rest of the city centre,
like near Fitzalan Sqaure and the Interchange, where the Roxy
is. The Moor needs a revamp, as does the Markets area, or is
that being revamped already? Whatever, a lot of work is needed
to bring Sheffield in line with other Northern and Midlands
cities nearby, such as Leeds, Nottingham and Manchester. |
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Matt
- City Centre
Okay, so long as crisp packets and coke cans are cleared out
of the fountain, the graffity is cleaned off the scuplture
and big issue sellers are moved away. In fact, they could
do that right now and improve the first impression of Sheffield
without any money being spent.
I
do have a problem with the sculpture obstructing views and
blocking walkways to the city. I think a verticle structure
on a plinth that rises 50 feet into the air, perhaps in the
shape of a knife, would be more impressive.
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lindsay - sheffield
i like them, especially the fountains which look pretty - better
than the mucky car park at the moment! |
Andrew
- Sheffield
The plans look good, but will they actually end up looking like
that? |
Paula
- Heeley
It's about time something was done about the station. It's an
absolute disgrace at the moment. It's embarrassing that a city
the size of Sheffield should have such a pathetic entrance and
exit. |
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