Member Article

University of Sheffield in £2.9m funding bid to improve campus

University of Sheffield has joined forces with Sheffield City Council in a bid for £2.89m funding to make dramatic improvements to the University campus

Cabinet members are being recommended to give the go-ahead to secure £2.89m of Sheffield City Region Investment Funding (SCRIF) to the total project cost of £8.36m.

The University will match this funding with £5.47 million of its own investment to transform the central campus into a high quality pedestrian and cycle friendly environment.

The proposals echo ideas first put forward in the City Centre Master Plan in 2013 and in more detail in the University’s Campus Master Plan in 2014, both of which received high public support in consultation.

Subject to final detailed consultations on the necessary traffic management measures now under way, the Council is expected to procure and manage the highway works on the University’s behalf, as it has done previously for Sheffield Hallam at Arundel St and Howard Street.

There will be no net cost to the City Council as future maintenance will also be covered by the funding

The scheme will extend the existing high quality ‘Gold Route’ which already links Station Square to Devonshire Green, providing new pedestrian and cycle routes through the University campus from St Georges to the Arts Tower.

It will also improve connections between the North Campus on Broad Lane and the St Vincent’s Quarter, now home to many students.

Works on the University’s own estate, such as the Arts Tower precincts and North Campus will be wholly funded by the University.

Councillor Leigh Bramall, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Development said: “I welcome this investment by the University which shows their commitment to being part of a vibrant and successful city centre.

“At the same time, the City Region’s contribution recognises the importance of our Universities to the wider regional economy whilst creating an attractive and high quality public realm for all.’’

Professor Mike Hounslow, who chairs the Project Board for the University of Sheffield added: “The enhancements will create the setting we need to continue to attract top class researchers, teachers and students and will match the striking new buildings we are investing in.

“These spaces perform an important role in promoting interaction and collaboration between disciplines. But we hope they will also make the campus a safe, inviting and interesting place for our neighbours and the wider Sheffield public to use and enjoy.”

Work could start as soon as June 2015 and be completed in late 2016.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .