26.03.18
Doncaster Sheffield Airport announces ambition to build rail station connected to ECML
Doncaster Sheffield Airport has outlined plans to build a new rail station connected to the East Coast Main Line (ECML) in its 20-year vision for the future.
The airport’s Masterplan sets out ambitions to create an ‘Aerotropolis’ in the Sheffield City Region that would put £3.2bn into the local economy and create over 73,000 jobs.
The new station would require the building of seven miles of new track, and provide a direct rail link from London and Newcastle in under 90 minutes travel time.
It would also give nine million people living within a 90 minute journey time of the airport easier access to flights, an increase of 6.6 million people.
It is estimated to serve around 1.6 million people per year by 2037, and accelerate the development of housing in the surrounding areas, with 8,500 new homes anticipated.
Jonathan Spruce, strategy director at Transport for the North said: “Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s vision would see it unlock significant passenger and cargo capacity and could create a major economic cluster, supporting the transformation of the north of England economy.
“We are currently consulting on our draft Strategic Transport Plan for the North which identifies DSA as a key economic centre and we recognise the need for enhanced rail access to DSA.”
And Ros Jones, mayor of Doncaster, commented that the airport was well located to be an “international gateway” for the north.
“Doncaster Sheffield Airport is a superbly located international gateway to the north. It is already experiencing significant growth, driving job creation and delivering new economic activity.
“Most importantly, it has huge additional potential and can play a major role in the future transport and economic ambitions of the north as set out in its Vision and Masterplan.”