Sheffield City Council – Perceptions of Nether Edge Active Travel Neighbourhood

Sheffield City Council received funding from the Tranche 2 of the Active Travel Fund (ATF) which aims to create a safer, cleaner and more pleasant environment for residents and local businesses and a more attractive area for walking, cycling and spending time outdoors. Sheffield City Council were looking to understand perceptions of the Nether Edge Active Neighbourhood scheme from three audiences:

• Those who lived in the area (Residents)

• Those who are visited the area from outside of the specified area (Visitors)

• Businesses/business owners trading in the area (Businesses).

Approach

The survey was designed jointly by M·E·L Research and Sheffield City Council (SCC) to ensure that the content aligned with the key objectives set out by SCC and that it was able to accurately capture the experiences of residents, visitors and those who work in the area since the new active travel scheme was introduced.

Three surveys were created in total; one for each of residents, visitors and businesses. These surveys were conducted separately using the most relevant approach:

• Residents were sampled via a random location sampling approach within the defined area and visited at their homes by in-person interviewers.

• Visitors were approached on-street by professional interviewers in and around the target area. Visitors were screened for their home location to ensure they were not residents.

• Businesses within the area were collated using a list provided in earlier research combined with manual searching online and feedback from on-street interviewers. This list was agreed with SCC, before being called by the in-house telephone interviewing team at M·E·L Research. Business interviews were undertaken with those who own or work for the business in a managerial capacity.

Outcome

A total of 507 responses were recorded comprised of:

• 366 residents – 266 within Nether Edge and 100 within Ecclesall (target, n=350).

• 102 visitors (target, n=100).

• 39 businesses (target, up to n=50).

MEL Research broke the data down by demographic groups, including area of residence to carry out their analysis. Over 33% of both residents and visitors would be open to keeping the scheme with some minor changes, particularly around the closure of Archer Lane. Those suggesting changes, improvement or additions to the scheme would like to see the accessibility to Archer Lane made easier. Positivity was higher around road crossings. Businesses are twice as likely as residents and visitors to want the scheme removed when compared to visitors and residents.

Findings fed in to the Council’s decision to continue the ATN but with some amendments. Archer Lane will be re-opened, combined with retaining pedestrian crossings at Osbourne Road close to Union Road, and on Psalter Lane close to its junction with Stretton Road