Connecting Sheffield: Townhead Street and Leopold Street

Logo reads: Connecting Sheffield

Why this project matters

Townhead Street and Leopold Street are busy city centre routes. They link the north of Sheffield with key destinations like the Heart of the City, Orchard Square and Leopold Square. They’re also on the tram network.

With major regeneration underway across the city centre – including thousands of new homes and work to create a transport network to support them – this area needs streets that are safer, more pleasant to spend time in and easier for everyone to move around.

Recent changes to bus routing mean we can now redesign the junction of Townhead Street and Leopold Street. We know it can work better for people who are walking, wheeling, cycling and using public transport, while keeping necessary vehicle access. This is a chance to turn an outdated, traffic dominated junction into a greener, more welcoming space that supports local businesses and creates stronger links across the city centre.

What the improvements will bring

Our plans will:

  • create a safer, more attractive and better-connected environment for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
  • transform part of Leopold Street into a high-quality public space with new paving, seating and greenery.
  • make it easier to get around by improving crossings, simplifying vehicle movements and upgrading Blue Badge parking, loading and taxi facilities.
  • support local shops, cafés and restaurants with wider pavements and space for outdoor seating.
  • improve journey times and waiting areas for the free Sheffield Connect bus.
  • better link the area to the growing cycle network, including new Connecting Sheffield routes at West Bar, Fargate and work underway on Pinstone Street and Surrey Street.

How you can get involved

Our public consultation is open from 9am on Monday 23 February to 11.59pm on Sunday 22 March 2026.

You can:

  • view the proposals, maps and FAQs on this webpage
  • complete the online survey
  • attend our in-person public drop-in events:
    • Saturday 7 March, 11am to 2.30pm, Leopold Hotel, 2 Leopold Street, Sheffield S1 2GZ
    • Tuesday 10 March, 4.30pm to 8pm, Leopold Hotel, 2 Leopold Street, Sheffield S1 2GZ
  • register for our in-person drop-in event for local businesses:
    • Thursday 12 March, 8am to 11am, Committee Room 3, Floor 1, Sheffield Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield S1 2HH
    • If you'd like to attend our local business drop-in, please sign up
  • contact us:
    • by email – info@connecting-sheffield.co.uk
    • by phone – 9am to 5pm Freephone 0808 196 5105
    • or write to us at Freepost Connecting SHF

How we will use your feedback

We will review every response we receive before we finalise the proposals. Your input will help us refine the designs to ensure the improvements work for the people, communities and businesses who use the area every day.

We’ll share updates on this webpage as the project progresses.

Where is the project happening?

A map showing a wide view of Sheffield City Centre. The map highlights Townhead Street, Leopold Street, Campo Lane and Pinfold Street.

What's happening on Townhead Street?

We’re making changes to how vehicles move around Townhead Street, Church Street and Leopold Street. This will create safer, easier routes for people walking, wheeling and cycling.


Image shows current view of Townhead Street on the left, with a red cycle route that ends half way up the hill. There is a buliding in the background under constructuion and a controlled zone sign in the foreground. The image on the right shows an artist impression after improvements, with new paving, a cycle route all the way up the hill and more planting to the right. The current view of Townhead Street on the left, and an artist's impression of how Townhead Street could look following improvements on the right. Image created by Tetra Tech.

View the artist's impression in full.

What’s changing?

  • Vehicles will not be able to turn left into Church Street or travel straight ahead to Leopold Street from the top of Townhead Street. All traffic will follow a short signed diversion via Holly Street.
  • Access to Leopold Street will be via Holly Street and Barkers Pool
  • Access to Church Street via Holly Street and West Street.
  • Taxis and service vehicles travelling from Church Street to Leopold Street will use a short diversion via Holly Street, looping around the City Hall and Barkers Pool taxi ranks.


Artist's impression of the junction of Leopold Street, Townhead Street, West Street and Church Street. A red cycle route connects Townhead Street and Leopold Street, people are walking, wheeling and cycling and new planting can be seen at the top of Townhead Street
Artist's impression of how the junction of West Street, Townhead Street, Leopold Street and Church Street could look with improvements. Image created by Tetra Tech.



The map below shows how vehicles will be able to move through the new junction layout. You can also view a pdf of this image so you can zoom in for more detail.

Image shows a map of proposed new vehicle movements around Leopold Street and the junction with Townhead Strfeet, Leopold Street, West Street and Church StreetMap showing the proposed vehicle movements around Leopold Street and the junction of Townhead Street, Leopold Street, West Street and Church Street


Why are we making these changes?

  • Simpler, safer junctions: Reducing the number of vehicle movements at the West Street / Church Street / Townhead Street / Leopold Street junction lets us install new crossings where people naturally want to cross.
  • A safer crossing point with a new pedestrian and cycle crossing on Campo Lane.
  • More space for people: By managing traffic differently, we can create a new public space outside Orchard Square and ensure people walking, wheeling, cycling and driving all have dedicated, safer space.
  • Better for cycling: Clearer vehicle movements allow us to add a new cycle crossing from Townhead Street to Leopold Street and improve cycle connectivity along both streets. This strengthens links to the Connecting Sheffield: City Centre and Connecting Sheffield: Neepsend - Kelham Island - City Centre cycle routes.

The map below shows how the Connecting Sheffield: Townhead Street and Leopold Street project fits into the local city centre cycle network. The east to west route will connect to the Connecting Sheffield: Darnall - Attercliffe - City Centre route that is under construction. It will also connect to Castlegate, Campo Lane to Trippet Lane and onwards to the University of Sheffield and Hospitals. At the bottom of Townhead Street, it will connect the recently completed Connecting Sheffield: Neepsend - Kelham Island - City Centre route at West Bar route into the Heart of the City at Fargate and Pinstone Street. Other existing connections nearby include the Upper Don Trail, Five Weirs Walk and National Cycle Network routes 627 and 6.

A map of the city centre cycle route and how the Connecting Sheffield: Townhead Street and Leopold Street project will connect gaps in the current networkA map of the city centre cycle route and how the Connecting Sheffield: Townhead Street and Leopold Street project will connect gaps in the current networkYou can also view a pdf of this image so you can zoom in for more detail.


The result

A more attractive, vibrant and safer city centre, with improved access for everyone moving through the area.

Map showing proposed changes on Townhead Street, and at the junction of Townhead Street, Leopold Street, West Street and Church StreetMap showing proposed changes on Townhead Street, and at the junction of Townhead Street, Leopold Street, West Street and Church Street

You can also view this map as a pdf so you can zoom in for more detail.


What's happening on Leopold Street?

We’re transforming Leopold Street to create a welcoming, high‑quality public space that links with the new improvements along Fargate, Heart of the City, Surrey Street and Pinstone Street.


Image shows the current view of Leopold Street looking towards Townhead Street on the left, with double yellow lines on the road, bollards and vans parked in the loading bays. The image on the right shows an artist's impression of how Leopold Street could look following improvements with a taxi in the rank to the left, people cyclin on the road and people sitting at tables on the pavement
The current view of Leopold Street looking towards Townhead Street on the left, and an artist's impression of how Leopold Street could look following improvements on the right.Image created by Tetra Tech.

View the artist's impression image in full.


Image shows the current view of Leopold Street looking towards the Town Hall on the left, with double yellow lines on the road and bollards. The image on the right shows an artist's impression of how Leopold Street could look following improvements with wider pavements, people cyclin on the road and people sitting at tables on the pavement
The current view of Leopold Street looking towards the Town Hall on the left, and an artist's impression of how Leopold Street could look following improvements on the right. Image created by Tetra Tech.

View the artist's impression image in full.

What’s changing?

We will convert the lane travelling towards Pinstone Street into new public space, with new paving, seating and greenery. This builds on the recent changes at Pinstone Street, where we are prioritising people. The new space will support local bars and restaurants with opportunities for outdoor seating in good weather to bring more vibrancy to the area.

Why are we making these changes?

Although Leopold Square and Orchard Square are popular destinations, Leopold Street itself currently functions as a through-route for traffic. There are limited places to stop, rest or enjoy greenery. We want Leopold Street to be a destination in its own right, connecting key leisure and shopping areas with a more attractive public environment.

What is staying the same?

Vehicle access from Barkers Pool will remain unchanged. We will keep the existing one-way routes from Pinstone Street and Burgess Street, and from West Street and Holly Street. The taxi rank on Leopold Street will stay, with taxis continuing to use the Barkers Pool access route.

Updated vehicle access

Vehicles will not be able to access Leopold Street from Townhead Street, meaning Leopold Street will operate as one‑way only, except for cycles. The small number of vehicles that currently use this movement will instead access the street via Barkers Pool. This means we can redesign the space outside Orchard Square to for people rather than traffic.

Supporting public transport and accessibility

The Sheffield Connect bus will have a quicker route, as it currently cannot turn left from Leopold Street onto West Street. Once the Sheffield Connect can make this turn, we will remove the temporary stop on Pinfold Street as the bus will be able to move directly onto West Street. We will also provide a new shelter with a resting bench at the current Leopold Street stop.


Map showing proposed changes at Leopold Street, and the junction of Townhead Street, Leopold Street, West Street and Church StreetMap of proposed changes at Leopold Street, and the junction of Townhead Street, Leopold Street, West Street and Church Street

You can also view this map as a pdf so you can zoom in for more detail.


Supporting local businesses

Leopold Street and Orchard Square are home to a wide mix of restaurants, cafés, shops and offices. Our plans are designed to help these businesses thrive by creating a more welcoming, accessible and vibrant environment.

What’s changing?

Wider pavements and new greenery will create attractive spaces where businesses can offer outdoor seating, helping draw more people into the area. New public benches will give people places to rest and enable them to spend more time on Leopold Street.

The new public spaces will be designed to feel seamless with the high‑quality improvements on Fargate, in the Heart of the City and the work we are doing on Pinstone Street and Surrey Street.

Why are we making these changes?

By transforming Leopold Street into a place to stop, not just pass through, we’ll help increase footfall, support day‑to‑day trade and create a more enjoyable setting for people who work, visit or shop in the area. Consistent, high‑quality public spaces across the city centre will make the area more appealing for businesses, customers and future investment.

How are we working with businesses?

We’re carrying out targeted engagement with key businesses and building owners to understand their operational needs. This will help shape our plans to ensure we support loading, servicing, accessibility and day‑to‑day activity. We're also welcoming local businesses to our drop-in event on Thursday 12 March to meet the project team and discuss our plans in more detail.

Stay up to date

Get the latest information about transport projects across Sheffield by signing up to receive our emails. You’ll receive updates straight to your inbox.

Connecting Sheffield: Townhead Street and Leopold Street is being delivered by Sheffield City Council and is part-funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

Why this project matters

Townhead Street and Leopold Street are busy city centre routes. They link the north of Sheffield with key destinations like the Heart of the City, Orchard Square and Leopold Square. They’re also on the tram network.

With major regeneration underway across the city centre – including thousands of new homes and work to create a transport network to support them – this area needs streets that are safer, more pleasant to spend time in and easier for everyone to move around.

Recent changes to bus routing mean we can now redesign the junction of Townhead Street and Leopold Street. We know it can work better for people who are walking, wheeling, cycling and using public transport, while keeping necessary vehicle access. This is a chance to turn an outdated, traffic dominated junction into a greener, more welcoming space that supports local businesses and creates stronger links across the city centre.

What the improvements will bring

Our plans will:

  • create a safer, more attractive and better-connected environment for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
  • transform part of Leopold Street into a high-quality public space with new paving, seating and greenery.
  • make it easier to get around by improving crossings, simplifying vehicle movements and upgrading Blue Badge parking, loading and taxi facilities.
  • support local shops, cafés and restaurants with wider pavements and space for outdoor seating.
  • improve journey times and waiting areas for the free Sheffield Connect bus.
  • better link the area to the growing cycle network, including new Connecting Sheffield routes at West Bar, Fargate and work underway on Pinstone Street and Surrey Street.

How you can get involved

Our public consultation is open from 9am on Monday 23 February to 11.59pm on Sunday 22 March 2026.

You can:

  • view the proposals, maps and FAQs on this webpage
  • complete the online survey
  • attend our in-person public drop-in events:
    • Saturday 7 March, 11am to 2.30pm, Leopold Hotel, 2 Leopold Street, Sheffield S1 2GZ
    • Tuesday 10 March, 4.30pm to 8pm, Leopold Hotel, 2 Leopold Street, Sheffield S1 2GZ
  • register for our in-person drop-in event for local businesses:
    • Thursday 12 March, 8am to 11am, Committee Room 3, Floor 1, Sheffield Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield S1 2HH
    • If you'd like to attend our local business drop-in, please sign up
  • contact us:
    • by email – info@connecting-sheffield.co.uk
    • by phone – 9am to 5pm Freephone 0808 196 5105
    • or write to us at Freepost Connecting SHF

How we will use your feedback

We will review every response we receive before we finalise the proposals. Your input will help us refine the designs to ensure the improvements work for the people, communities and businesses who use the area every day.

We’ll share updates on this webpage as the project progresses.

Where is the project happening?

A map showing a wide view of Sheffield City Centre. The map highlights Townhead Street, Leopold Street, Campo Lane and Pinfold Street.

What's happening on Townhead Street?

We’re making changes to how vehicles move around Townhead Street, Church Street and Leopold Street. This will create safer, easier routes for people walking, wheeling and cycling.


Image shows current view of Townhead Street on the left, with a red cycle route that ends half way up the hill. There is a buliding in the background under constructuion and a controlled zone sign in the foreground. The image on the right shows an artist impression after improvements, with new paving, a cycle route all the way up the hill and more planting to the right. The current view of Townhead Street on the left, and an artist's impression of how Townhead Street could look following improvements on the right. Image created by Tetra Tech.

View the artist's impression in full.

What’s changing?

  • Vehicles will not be able to turn left into Church Street or travel straight ahead to Leopold Street from the top of Townhead Street. All traffic will follow a short signed diversion via Holly Street.
  • Access to Leopold Street will be via Holly Street and Barkers Pool
  • Access to Church Street via Holly Street and West Street.
  • Taxis and service vehicles travelling from Church Street to Leopold Street will use a short diversion via Holly Street, looping around the City Hall and Barkers Pool taxi ranks.


Artist's impression of the junction of Leopold Street, Townhead Street, West Street and Church Street. A red cycle route connects Townhead Street and Leopold Street, people are walking, wheeling and cycling and new planting can be seen at the top of Townhead Street
Artist's impression of how the junction of West Street, Townhead Street, Leopold Street and Church Street could look with improvements. Image created by Tetra Tech.



The map below shows how vehicles will be able to move through the new junction layout. You can also view a pdf of this image so you can zoom in for more detail.

Image shows a map of proposed new vehicle movements around Leopold Street and the junction with Townhead Strfeet, Leopold Street, West Street and Church StreetMap showing the proposed vehicle movements around Leopold Street and the junction of Townhead Street, Leopold Street, West Street and Church Street


Why are we making these changes?

  • Simpler, safer junctions: Reducing the number of vehicle movements at the West Street / Church Street / Townhead Street / Leopold Street junction lets us install new crossings where people naturally want to cross.
  • A safer crossing point with a new pedestrian and cycle crossing on Campo Lane.
  • More space for people: By managing traffic differently, we can create a new public space outside Orchard Square and ensure people walking, wheeling, cycling and driving all have dedicated, safer space.
  • Better for cycling: Clearer vehicle movements allow us to add a new cycle crossing from Townhead Street to Leopold Street and improve cycle connectivity along both streets. This strengthens links to the Connecting Sheffield: City Centre and Connecting Sheffield: Neepsend - Kelham Island - City Centre cycle routes.

The map below shows how the Connecting Sheffield: Townhead Street and Leopold Street project fits into the local city centre cycle network. The east to west route will connect to the Connecting Sheffield: Darnall - Attercliffe - City Centre route that is under construction. It will also connect to Castlegate, Campo Lane to Trippet Lane and onwards to the University of Sheffield and Hospitals. At the bottom of Townhead Street, it will connect the recently completed Connecting Sheffield: Neepsend - Kelham Island - City Centre route at West Bar route into the Heart of the City at Fargate and Pinstone Street. Other existing connections nearby include the Upper Don Trail, Five Weirs Walk and National Cycle Network routes 627 and 6.

A map of the city centre cycle route and how the Connecting Sheffield: Townhead Street and Leopold Street project will connect gaps in the current networkA map of the city centre cycle route and how the Connecting Sheffield: Townhead Street and Leopold Street project will connect gaps in the current networkYou can also view a pdf of this image so you can zoom in for more detail.


The result

A more attractive, vibrant and safer city centre, with improved access for everyone moving through the area.

Map showing proposed changes on Townhead Street, and at the junction of Townhead Street, Leopold Street, West Street and Church StreetMap showing proposed changes on Townhead Street, and at the junction of Townhead Street, Leopold Street, West Street and Church Street

You can also view this map as a pdf so you can zoom in for more detail.


What's happening on Leopold Street?

We’re transforming Leopold Street to create a welcoming, high‑quality public space that links with the new improvements along Fargate, Heart of the City, Surrey Street and Pinstone Street.


Image shows the current view of Leopold Street looking towards Townhead Street on the left, with double yellow lines on the road, bollards and vans parked in the loading bays. The image on the right shows an artist's impression of how Leopold Street could look following improvements with a taxi in the rank to the left, people cyclin on the road and people sitting at tables on the pavement
The current view of Leopold Street looking towards Townhead Street on the left, and an artist's impression of how Leopold Street could look following improvements on the right.Image created by Tetra Tech.

View the artist's impression image in full.


Image shows the current view of Leopold Street looking towards the Town Hall on the left, with double yellow lines on the road and bollards. The image on the right shows an artist's impression of how Leopold Street could look following improvements with wider pavements, people cyclin on the road and people sitting at tables on the pavement
The current view of Leopold Street looking towards the Town Hall on the left, and an artist's impression of how Leopold Street could look following improvements on the right. Image created by Tetra Tech.

View the artist's impression image in full.

What’s changing?

We will convert the lane travelling towards Pinstone Street into new public space, with new paving, seating and greenery. This builds on the recent changes at Pinstone Street, where we are prioritising people. The new space will support local bars and restaurants with opportunities for outdoor seating in good weather to bring more vibrancy to the area.

Why are we making these changes?

Although Leopold Square and Orchard Square are popular destinations, Leopold Street itself currently functions as a through-route for traffic. There are limited places to stop, rest or enjoy greenery. We want Leopold Street to be a destination in its own right, connecting key leisure and shopping areas with a more attractive public environment.

What is staying the same?

Vehicle access from Barkers Pool will remain unchanged. We will keep the existing one-way routes from Pinstone Street and Burgess Street, and from West Street and Holly Street. The taxi rank on Leopold Street will stay, with taxis continuing to use the Barkers Pool access route.

Updated vehicle access

Vehicles will not be able to access Leopold Street from Townhead Street, meaning Leopold Street will operate as one‑way only, except for cycles. The small number of vehicles that currently use this movement will instead access the street via Barkers Pool. This means we can redesign the space outside Orchard Square to for people rather than traffic.

Supporting public transport and accessibility

The Sheffield Connect bus will have a quicker route, as it currently cannot turn left from Leopold Street onto West Street. Once the Sheffield Connect can make this turn, we will remove the temporary stop on Pinfold Street as the bus will be able to move directly onto West Street. We will also provide a new shelter with a resting bench at the current Leopold Street stop.


Map showing proposed changes at Leopold Street, and the junction of Townhead Street, Leopold Street, West Street and Church StreetMap of proposed changes at Leopold Street, and the junction of Townhead Street, Leopold Street, West Street and Church Street

You can also view this map as a pdf so you can zoom in for more detail.


Supporting local businesses

Leopold Street and Orchard Square are home to a wide mix of restaurants, cafés, shops and offices. Our plans are designed to help these businesses thrive by creating a more welcoming, accessible and vibrant environment.

What’s changing?

Wider pavements and new greenery will create attractive spaces where businesses can offer outdoor seating, helping draw more people into the area. New public benches will give people places to rest and enable them to spend more time on Leopold Street.

The new public spaces will be designed to feel seamless with the high‑quality improvements on Fargate, in the Heart of the City and the work we are doing on Pinstone Street and Surrey Street.

Why are we making these changes?

By transforming Leopold Street into a place to stop, not just pass through, we’ll help increase footfall, support day‑to‑day trade and create a more enjoyable setting for people who work, visit or shop in the area. Consistent, high‑quality public spaces across the city centre will make the area more appealing for businesses, customers and future investment.

How are we working with businesses?

We’re carrying out targeted engagement with key businesses and building owners to understand their operational needs. This will help shape our plans to ensure we support loading, servicing, accessibility and day‑to‑day activity. We're also welcoming local businesses to our drop-in event on Thursday 12 March to meet the project team and discuss our plans in more detail.

Stay up to date

Get the latest information about transport projects across Sheffield by signing up to receive our emails. You’ll receive updates straight to your inbox.

Connecting Sheffield: Townhead Street and Leopold Street is being delivered by Sheffield City Council and is part-funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

  • Connecting Sheffield: Townhead Street and Leopold Street consultation survey

    We are holding a public consultation on our proposals for Connecting Sheffield: Townhead Street and Leopold Street. 

    The consultation is live from 9am on Monday 23 February 2026 until 11.59pm on Sunday 22 March 2026.

    Let us know your views by completing the below survey. Your feedback will help us to finalise our proposals.

    Connecting Sheffield: Townhead Street and Leopold Street is being delivered by Sheffield City Council and is part-funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

    Take Survey
Page last updated: 09 Mar 2026, 02:45 PM