26.07.19
Doncaster area could be turbo-charged by new Integrated Rail Plan
Wide ranging improvements to rail services are being lined up for the Doncaster area following the launch of the new Integrated Rail Plan by the Sheffield City Region.
The plan, which has been welcomed by the Department for Transport, sets out a vision for how the region will be better connected by both high speed and conventional rail networks into the future - regionally, across the North, and nationally.
Key elements of the plan include:
- A new East Coast Main Line station at Doncaster Sheffield Airport
- The extension of Tram-Train services to Doncaster and Doncaster Sheffield Airport
- A multi-million pound investment at local community stations across the borough
- Faster and/or more frequent services to London, Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, Hull and Lincoln
- The potential development of new stops and stations at Askern and in the south of the borough
- A new Dearne Valley Station, including the development of a road bypass at Marr and Hickleton to relieve traffic congestion and improve air quality in the villages
Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “Doncaster is a historic railway town and rail connectivity remains central to our economic, social and environmental ambitions.
“We already have an excellent network of railway lines, but some services need enhancing and many of our local stations are desperately in need of improvement. This ambitious plan sets out a strong vision for rail services in our region, which will bring new investment and opportunities to communities right across Doncaster.”
The Integrated Rail Plan draws on emerging proposals for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), the £39bn programme to transform rail connectivity in the North of England that was submitted to the Government in February. Doncaster is a key station in the NPR submission, which would see the town benefit from improved east-west links between Manchester, Sheffield and Hull.
A flagship scheme in the Integrated Rail Plan is a new East Coast Main Line station at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which would further enhance access to the airport and its associated employment sites. The plan also aims to integrate tram-train services at the airport station, providing local and regional rail links to the airport.
Under the proposals, Conisbrough and Mexborough could benefit from the introduction of tram-train services, offering new destinations in Sheffield and Rotherham, as well as Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
As part of the proposal to extend tram-train services, the potential for new stops in the south of the borough around Lakeside, Bessacarr and Bawtry will also be explored. A new station at the airport could enable direct rail services from community stations across Doncaster.