Posted on the 3rd August 2026 in PHTM News

SHEFFIELD ROADWORKS TRIGGER CHAOS FOR TAXI DRIVERS AND HOSPITAL PATIENTS

Cab drivers in Sheffield are raising alarms over widespread road closures and roadworks across the city, warning that severe congestion is preventing them from getting patients to hospital appointments on time.

Ongoing works on major routes - including Tenter Street, Furnival Road, Clarkehouse Road, and Granville Road - are causing extensive delays, particularly during rush hour traffic.

Hackney driver Manzal Ali highlighted the severe impact on vulnerable passengers needing urgent care. “We take people to and from hospitals and the traffic is making people’s lives harder,” Ali explained, noting that drivers are frequently stuck in gridlock for 20 to 30 minutes at a time.

“Especially during rush hour with diversions, we’re not always able to get them there.”

To ease the strain, Ali is calling on the local authority to provide advance notice on work durations and suggested that contractors should work around the clock. “Surely it should be 24/7 to make any work finish quicker,” he added, acknowledging that the chaos affects “every single motorist in Sheffield.”

Hafeas Rehman, chairman of the Sheffield Taxi Trade Association, echoed these concerns, demanding better communication beyond basic website updates.

“We recognise it’s necessary to do the work, but it’s difficult during peak hours,” Rehman stated. “They should inform the public why, have better communication and not just rely on websites to do so, because taxi drivers face the brunt of it.”

Rehman also criticised evening weekend driving bans on Carver Street, describing the lack of signage there as a potential "death trap," while blasting the overall state of the roads. “The road repairs are not good enough, they need to be sorted as soon as possible with good material,” he warned, pointing out that unchecked potholes force drivers to pay for vehicle repairs out of pocket.

In response, Sheffield Council stated that the disruption stems from essential infrastructure upgrades aimed at accommodating the city's growing population.

Officials explained that contractors are upgrading transport, water, and electricity networks so the system is fit for the future, ultimately allowing people to walk, cycle, wheel, or drive safely.

The council emphasised that it is working alongside utility companies to finish these vital projects as quickly as possible with minimal disruption.


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