Local people have welcomed our recent improvements to Sheffield’s Five Weirs Walk, and contributed their own efforts to restore the much-loved riverside path.
Steve Rowberry (left), with Deborah Carter and Roger Clark try out the new improved section of Five Weirs Walk. Photo: Dean Atkins
Our North team worked with Sheffield City Council and the Trans Pennine Trail to resurface and widen part of the Five Weirs Walk on the section between East Coast Road and Stephenson Road.
This now allows mobility scooters, larger buggies and cycles to access the route.
The team installed a new bench along the route, while volunteers from community groups helped to cut back vegetation, plant bulbs and remove litter.
The work was funded by the Department for Transport as part of our national programme to create paths for everyone.
Improving the Five Weirs Walk
The work forms part of a longer-term plan to open up and improve access on this traffic-free pathway, including a damaged flood section.
The 7.5 km route runs from Castlegate in the city centre to Meadowhall along the River Don.
Deborah Carter (pictured) said:
“I learnt to ride a bike again after an accident with my leg. I have to have a special pedal as my leg won’t turn properly.
“Since then, I’ve enjoyed riding tandem with my brother and I also have an electric bike of my own.
“I used to like riding in Sheffield but I’ve missed it. I’m really pleased to see the changes on this route. I remember it from before.
I didn’t like it then as I found it scary. Now I’ll definitely come back on my own.”
Steve Rowberry (pictured) said:
“I ride a recumbent trike. The changes to the route make it much smoother, wider, and better for a larger cycle.
“I’m happy with the improvements. The surface is nice and smooth. The wider the path, the better, I can get my recumbent down it nice and easily.”
Our Senior Project Manager Helen Kellar said:
“These recent improvements are part of our wider Paths for Everyone programme across the UK, funded by the Department for Transport, to improve the quality of the National Cycle Network, making it safer and more accessible for all abilities.
“Alongside the improvements, we have been able to undertake surveys and are preparing designs and costs for the flood damaged section.
This work will allow us to fully understand the scale of the challenge and identify a viable solution.
“Closure of the section near Washford Bridge on Attercliffe Road since its damage from flooding in 2019 affected walkers, wheelers and cyclists using the route.”
The support of local people
Five Weirs Walk is a key route for urban communities in Attercliffe and Carbrook.
Many local people help maintain the path and remove litter along it, giving their time as volunteers for Sustrans and the Trans Pennine Trail, Friends of Five Weirs Walk and the Blue Loop.
As part of our work on Five Weirs Walk, we ran a project to help more local people feel better connected to nature and communities around them.
Officers focused particularly on reaching out to people seeking asylum, supporting them to take part in led walks and nature-based volunteering activities on the walkway.
This included spring bulb planting, cutting back bushes and litter picking.
Sustrans Senior Project Manager Helen Kellar explains:
“Restoring the Five Weirs Walk is important for cultural and environmental reasons.
“We know that access to green spaces can benefit everyone, and they can disproportionately benefit underserved groups.
“The route offers important access to green and blue spaces for the communities living in the industrial and urban inner-city areas of Sheffield.”
The improved section includes a photo point at one of five weirs along the path. Photo: Dean Atkins
Tom Finnegan-Smith, Assistant Director for City Transport at Sheffield City Council, said:
“Five Weirs Walk has always been an incredibly popular route, used by a wide range of local people from those commuting to and from work to others just out for a leisurely ride or walk.
“It’s fantastic to re-open this section of the route following the completion of the recent works and allow everyone the chance to enjoy it once again.
“The Five Weirs Walk forms an important part of our Active Travel plans for Sheffield, enabling people to adopt an active lifestyle in order to improve their health and wellbeing.”
John Wilson, Chair of the Trans Pennine Trail Partnership, said:
“It’s wonderful to see this section of the Five Weirs Walk re-opened following the recent works.
“It’s a very popular section of the Trail in Sheffield and is used heavily for both commuting and leisure routes.
“The wildlife along this riverside route is a joy - you wouldn’t think you were in such an industrial area.
“The project really does show how clearing away vegetation and providing a surface that can be used by all, really does make such a huge difference to peoples’ lives.”
Five Weirs Walk is part of National Cycle Network Route 6, the Trans Pennine Trail and the Blue loop (which links the route to Tinsley Canal and Sheffield).
