Drivers could be forced off the roads in a major region as part of plans to reduce congestion and pollution while prioritising active travel.

Sheffield City Council has unveiled proposals that could see private vehicle numbers in the city centre fall by as much as a fifth over the next 15 years.

The authority published its City Centre Access and Movement Plan consultation document this week, which outlined measures to reduce both traffic volumes and parking availability.

The proposals detailed in the plan include cutting surface-level parking spaces and on-street parking provision across the city centre.

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The plan will reduce the number of private vehicles in the city centre

Officials stated that they want to redirect vehicles onto the inner ring road rather than allowing them to travel through central areas.

The document detailed that "cars with just one or two people in them make very inefficient use of the available road space" as the city centre experiences growth.

The council's strategy involves expanding park and ride facilities while prioritising larger multi-storey car parks over surface-level parking areas.

The authority explained that it is currently conducting a review of parking supply and demand, with results expected later this year. The plans specifically aim to gradually reduce on-street parking provision and "phase out" surface car parks. Officials also intend to support increased park and ride options for those travelling into the city centre.

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The document also referenced reviewing exemptions for bus gates to ensure they are "appropriate, consistent, easily understood and enforceable".

Bus gates have proved controversial among motorists visiting Sheffield, with many drivers caught out by the restrictions. The proposals form part of a broader transport transformation that includes bus franchising from 2027 and tram network expansion.

The council plans to encourage vehicles to use the inner ring road when accessing destinations throughout the city centre.

Officials have argued that growing numbers of residents, workers and visitors mean travel demand will increase, requiring more "attractive, reliable and space-efficient" transport methods.

Walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure will also be expanded to help meet the traffic reduction target. The consultation document stated that private car use will become "increasingly squeezed" as the city centre develops and travel demand grows on Sheffield's streets.

Councillor Ben Miskell said: "Our city centre is one of Sheffield's greatest assets. It's the beating economic and cultural heart of England's fourth largest city, welcoming growing numbers of residents, workers and visitors, day and night.

"This plan responds directly to what you told us, setting out clear proposals for the next 15 years. It's a shared vision shaped by residents, businesses and the council and supported by councillors from across the city."

Construction work on the project began in February this year, with improvements already underway on Pinstone Street.

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The plans hope to remove a fifth of all cars from the city centre over the next 15 years

Workers have been replacing kerbing near the Town Hall and installing permanent cycling infrastructure. The Rockingham Street and West Street junction is also being modified to enable buses to turn directly into Rockingham Street, making public transport journeys quicker and more reliable. Work at this location is scheduled to continue until November 2025.

These changes link major developments, including The Moor, Heart of the City and Fargate improvements, forming part of Sheffield's broader city centre transformation programme.

Miskell added: "We know there’s more to do. To keep pace with a growing city centre, we need a truly integrated and sustainable transport network that works for everyone - helping people move around easily, affordably, and cleanly.

"This City Centre Access and Movement Plan sets out how we’ll achieve that together. It sits alongside major changes to public transport in Sheffield."