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Project History - The Inner Relief Road
Various proposals to improve the IRR around Sheffield’s City Centre have existed since the 1950s and were originally included in the Sheffield Development Plan (adopted in 1958) under the 1947 Town and Country Planning Act. Since that time a purpose built route has been constructed between Penistone Road and Shoreham Street. In the early 1990s the Council with its partners in the private sector reviewed the future vision for the City Centre, including the need to develop a new transport strategy to overcome the problems of access and the environment. This study, named The Central Area Integrated Transport Study (CAITS), advised that the IRR be completed to:
- Divert through traffic away from the City Centre
- Improve City Centre access
- Integrate Victoria Quays, the Wicker, Exchange Riverside and the Law Courts areas into the City Centre
- Aid regeneration and create the conditions for greater employment opportunities
- Reduce road accidents and injuries
- Aid the development of more pedestrian friendly areas
In 1994, public consultation showed broad support for an improved route between Sheffield Parkway and Penistone Road at Shalesmoor. This meant that there was agreement to:
- The detailed design of the section between the Wicker and Sheffield Parkway which was opened in March 2000
- The outline route from Shalesmoor to the Wicker via Gibraltar Street, Corporation Street and Andrew Street
In developing the route, careful consideration was given to reduce the effect of the new road on listed buildings, the scheduled ancient monument at Bower Springs and the Kelham Island Conservation Area in particular. An Environmental Impact Assessment was also undertaken, led by independent consultants. The main issues covered by this are:
- Noise
- Air quality
- Impact on the River Don (wildlife and ecology)
- Heritage and townscape
- Archaeology
The new road will pass through the historic industrial core of the City and there may be archaeological remains of historic importance along its route. Archaeological studies have already been undertaken (ARCUS, Sheffield University) on behalf of the Council. English Heritage was also consulted about the road’s impact on the ‘Wicker Viaduct’ structure and the Scheduled Ancient Monument at Bower Springs.
Further extensive public consultation, on the detail of Stage 2 of the IRR, was carried out in July 2002 and once again the vast majority of those who commented gave their approval to the proposals. Following this Planning, Conservation Area and Listed Building applications were submitted and consents granted for the first two in January 2003 and that for Listed Building Consent in March 2003.
A Public Inquiry, into the scheme’s Compulsory Purchase and Side Roads Orders, was held in December 2003 and in March 2004 the Orders were confirmed. This meant that the IRR had obtained all its necessary statutory consents and that the project could go ahead. In July 2004, the funding for the scheme was confirmed by central government.
Construction of Stage 2 of the IRR officially got underway in November 2004 when Transport Minister, Tony McNulty MP, ceremonially started the project by turning the first soil. The Government has committed £56m to fund the new 1.5 km dual carriageway, with construction due to take about two and a half years.
Stages 1 and 2: Key Dates
1993
April:
- Sheffield City Council approve the Central Area Integrated Transport Strategy (CAITS), which includes the Inner Relief Road
Stage 1 (Sheffield Parkway to Wicker)
1994
November
- Public Consultation
- Planning consent granted by both Sheffield City Council and the Sheffield Development Corporation
December
- Department of Transport approves Stage 1 funding
1995
June
- Stage 1A (Sheffield Parkway to Furnival Road) construction begins
1997
April
- Stage 1A opened to traffic
1999
March
- Stage 1B (Furnival Road to the Wicker) construction commenced
2000
April
- Stage 1B opened to traffic
Stage 2 (Wicker to Penistone Road)
December
- Stage 2 provisionally accepted by the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
2002
April
- Archaeological Desk-based Assessment published
July
- Public consultation
August
- Planning, Conservation Area and Listed Building applications submitted
2003
January
- Planning and Conservation Area Consent granted
April
- Listed Building Consent granted
- Birse CL chosen as the contractor for Early Contractor Involvement
May
- CPO and SRO published
Dec
- Public Inquiry held at Sheffield Town Hall into the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and Side Roads Order (SRO)
2004
March
- Confirmation of CPO and SRO
July
- Department for Transport approve finance
November
- Birse CL confirmed as the main contractor for scheme’s construction
- Construction begins
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