Transport.
The number of people travelling into the centre each day for work or leisure was reduced greatly from 23rd March.
The virus meant the government recommended avoiding using public transport where possible which social distancing has restricted operational capacity to around 30% of pre-COVID levels.
In Sheffield traffic dropped by nearly 80% during lockdown with an increase in use of active transport methods. The ease with which people were able to access the city became reduced, with some bus services running a Sunday timetable daily.
While lockdown allowed for reduced transport use for many, not everyone has access to private transport or active transport is not feasible for them. This change in attitude towards public transport and sharing space with others was therefore a serious departure for many in the way they lived across the city.
Emissions.
2020 Citywide NO2 results show a decrease in monthly average concentrations of up to 63% ranging from, 43µg.m-3 in January to 13µg.m-3 in May depending on location.
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All locations show concentration levels that are below EU and UK annual average standard as against what was observed in the same period in 2019
Decrease in NO2 from March to May 2020 was steepest largely corresponding with the commencement of the lockdown and with the sharp decrease in vehicle traffic flow.
The greatest decreases were observed at locations closest to busy roads – Derek Dooley Way (GH4), Queens Road (GH3), Barnsley Road (BRd), Tinsley Siemen’s Road (ST) – near M1 J34S.
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Monitored NO2 levels decreased from February to March 2020 particularly during the last weeks of April, largely corresponding with the COVID-19 lockdown period.
Active travel.
The appointment of Dame Sarah Storey as Active Travel Commissioner for the Sheffield City Region in September 2019 highlights the SCR looking to make the region one where people feel able to use active or public transport over their cars.
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The appointment of the Active Travel Advisory Board and the ambitions of the SCR in this piece of work emphasises the impact which COVID-19 has had on the city as a transport network.
Sheffield City Council has identified and developed a number of schemes to support active travel whilst simultaneously supporting social distancing. The introduction of measures include temporary cycling measures, temporary footway widening, and reducing pedestrian wait times at crossings to prevent ‘pavement bunching’.
It is recognised that while there has been a benefit to those who can access and afford a bike or to walk it is not possible for everyone from all areas of the city to access everything they need to by these methods and cars are expensive.
Travel and transport could therefore be seen as another way in which inequalities are being emphasised during COVID-19 with those who cannot afford private transport being left to take the option with greater risk to your health. The city is therefore working to try and reduce the impact on public transport in ways such as SCC working with South Yorkshire Passenger Travel Executive to implement social distancing lines at selected city bus stops.
Community assets & culture.
For many the removal of access to city life in all its iterations has contributed to isolation and loneliness.
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The benefit of having such a supportive VCF sector within local communities in Sheffield means that individuals were provided with support which went beyond their basic needs being met. As detailed above, many have been provided with bespoke support in their local area through the VCF, LCRTs and other partners.
As well as people able to do shopping for those who are vulnerable or isolating, befriending has been a key feature, with many organisations going the extra mile to give people emotional support and company over the phone or on the doorstep.
There has also been a shift to online support and resources. An example of this is since March Sheffield City Council expanded their e-Library, investing an extra £20k in online books. The libraries have seen over 2,000 new applicants to Sheffield’s e-library since the lockdown as well as around 2,000 existing Sheffield library members started using the e-library service.
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While there were many services which were forced to shut down, the arts, entertainment and recreation sector reported the largest percentage of businesses to have paused trading and do not intend to restart in the next two weeks, at 48% as of June.
Sheffield, like many other major cities has become increasingly reliant on the footfall and attention which major events bring to a place. The July status for the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield is that it is unlikely to hold any shows with Sheffield Theatres only holding pop-ups in The Crucible until 2021.
Provisional data from SCC is presenting a worrying trend that over 47% of the city’s creative businesses are ineligible for government grants/loans due to business rates models/mode of production.
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Democratic engagement.
The initial difficulty raised by lockdown in terms of the democratic processes of the city was that all of the regular means of engaging halted.
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The engagement of citizens during the period of COVID-19 lockdown highlights the willing nature of people in Sheffield to volunteer their skills. People coming together in a crisis highlights the strength of our communities, as discussed in the State of Sheffield 2018.
The number of support networks and neighbourhood groups which sprang up overnight created a different form of democracy for people. The official routes such as Council meetings and elections were all postponed with meetings being reorganised via Zoom and other video methods for later dates. While democracy in terms of voting was not available
For SCC the initial estimate in early May of the financial impact of Covid-19 is that additional costs and potential lost income will total around £70m if the pandemic were to last until July 2020.
Reflections
How can we encourage sustained use of active travel?
The impact on the environment and environmental factors such as clean air are currently unclear longer term. It is possible that we can make good progress towards greater usage of active travel, but this will need ongoing collaboration and a sustained approach.
How can arts, culture and sport be supported?
How do we draw on the strengths of organisations locally to improve the position of the cultural and leisure sectors for the city?
How can we avoid more people using private transport instead of public over a sustained period of time?
How can democratic engagement be enhanced?
The pandemic has shown how technology can improve engagement from home and how different ways of engaging should be explored.
How can we maintain the social action and community links that have proved so crucial during Covid-19?