Thousands of Sheffield residents are calling on Sheffield Council to bring back a public right of way into a popular riverside walk.
Access to Beeley Wood, from Middlewood Road North, stopped earlier this year because of safety concerns over a wall and a collapsed bridge.
Now, in the past month, over 1,800 people have signed Ernie S.’s petition calling on Sheffield Council to carry out the ‘substantial work’ necessary to repair the retaining wall along the steps into the woods. Ernie says that “this work will be costly and, until done, pedestrians will not be able to enjoy access to the woods.”
The closure means diversions of around two miles via Oughtbridge or three miles via Wadsley Bridge.
Supporters of the petition, including Alison from Sheffield, say the closure of the path has been detrimental to them. Alison says that “before the closure of the paths, I walked along the river every day after work. It helped me process the day and decompress. Recently, it has been great seeing new life with the baby ducklings.
“Sadly, now, if I want to do this, I have to walk along a busy road to access it. So many people use the access that is closed. Lots of people who work at the forge use it to get home. I know the nearby nursery uses it for the toddlers to experience the outdoors.
“Many use this footpath. It needs fixing immediately”.
Councillor Alexi Dimond, the chairman of the council’s Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said the path, Bradfield Footpath 91, closed in early 2026 because of safety concerns relating to an unstable retaining wall and a collapsed timber footbridge.
He said: “The council recognises the impact of the closure and is progressing the technical work needed to identify a safe, deliverable solution.”
The authority’s Finance and Performance Policy Committee approved paying for the initial site investigation works.
Coun Dimond said he hoped that the route would reopen by autumn 2027, if money were available for the work.
The petition is available to view and sign at change.org below: