This is about parking access and Sheffield City Council’s closure of all the remaining free parking spaces near the Park and G P Surgery. It is not about the closure of the road to through traffic, which happened long ago - that is a separate issue.

I believe the road closure has been unlawfully extended and it should be reopened immediately. I have already taken action on this [the council have now admitted it was unlawful! 7 Oct]  - please read on… 

Montague Street in Sheffield has long been a vital access point for residents needing to reach essential services - the adjacent park, the Sunderland Street GP surgery, and the adjacent pharmacy.

Its closure in recent years has had a serious and lasting impact, particularly on those with limited mobility - including myself, my wife, and previously, my late mother-in-law. During times of illness and recovery, access to the park became impossible for us. What was once a short drive and a level walk is now out of reach for many people who genuinely need it.

The road is a quiet, non-residential cul-de-sac., not a through route, and was widely used by those who needed convenient parking close to green space and healthcare. A former road, running parrallel, just 35 metres away has already been converted into a dedicated cycle and pedestrian path for those passing through the area on foot or by bicycle, rather than visiting the park or nearby facilities. This is in addition to the paths in the park itself. Montague Street closure has pushed parking further afield - often onto busy roads like Cemetery Road - Onto timed limited piad parking - and made it much harder to access the GP and pharmacy, especially for elderly and disabled residents.

I believe this closure was deliberately and quietly extended long beyond its original justification, with plans to make it permanent without proper public consultation - plans that only became visible once complaints were raised and the closure could no longer be quietly enacted. The justification being used - a vague 'likelihood of danger to the public' - simply does not reflect the reality. The area is calm, well-used, and poses no evident danger.

There is also growing concern that a small group of anti-car activists may be influencing council decisions, while the needs of ordinary residents are being ignored. Many people affected by this - the elderly, those recovering from illness, those with hidden disabilities - are not in a position to engage in council processes, and their voices are going unheard.

 
I am calling on Sheffield City Council to:

Reopen Montague Street for public vehicle access to the park, surgery, and pharmacy.
Pause any plans to make the closure permanent, until a full, inclusive, and transparent consultation has taken place.
Prioritise accessibility and fairness, ensuring that those with mobility issues are not excluded from essential local spaces.
 
Please sign this petition if you believe in equal access to community services - for everyone, not just those who live on the doorstep, can walk long distances, or can cycle.

Let’s send a clear message that our city should be inclusive, not exclusive.

I have set up a multi-page website with detailed information about the issue, along with a way to send a message and offer support. I have also created a Facebook page where people can comment and share ideas to help with reopening the road. You can follow these links:

More Information: https://tinyurl.com/bdhy23yt

Facebook Page: https://tinyurl.com/3cwvct6p

Great news! Due to public pressure, Sheffield City Council has admitted that the closure order was unlawful on 7th October! However, the road still hasn’t been reopened 25th October. We need to keep up the pressure — not only to get it reopened, but also to get answers as to why they acted illegally in the first place. There seems to be a cover up going on...

Please sign and share this petition.
You can read the full update at the bottom of the page.

Great news! The Council ePetition closed 30 Sep 2025 and successfully triggered a council review. While council petitions often struggle with low reach and response rates, every signature made a difference in getting us to this stage.

You can check it out here: https://tinyurl.com/bdcss5yy