26.01.17
HS2 reveals eight South Yorkshire parkway station proposal sites
HS2 Ltd has revealed a shortlist of eight sites for its potential parkway station to serve South Yorkshire.
The eight sites are situated across rural locations in Doncaster, Rotherham and Wakefield, leading to further criticism that HS2 could be a detriment rather than a benefit to certain parts of the region.
The proposed HS2 route through South Yorkshire falls under Phase 2b of the project, with the government now planning a separate spur to take passengers to Sheffield city centre rather than Meadowhall as was originally planned.
A HS2 spokesperson confirmed that HS2 has been commissioned to identify options for a parkway station in the region in order to “further spread the considerable benefits that HS2 brings”.
“At this early stage, we have identified eight locations for a potential parkway station,” the spokesperson confirmed. “There are numerous factors to take into account when determining the right location, such as access to the station by road, rail and public transport as well as environmental considerations.”
“We are working closely with local authorities and Transport for the North to identify the right solution for the region and are confident of making good progress. Any proposal would be subject to public consultation.”
The eight potential sites are:
- Bramley in Rotherham
- Clayton in Doncaster
- Fitzwilliam in Wakefield
- Hemsworth in Wakefield
- Hickleton in Doncaster
- Hooton Roberts in Rotherham
- Mexborough in Doncaster
- Wales in Rotherham
HS2 is set to complete the study looking into the possibility of a parkway station in the region later this year.
Christine Jackson, chair of Hickleton Parish Council, cast doubt on the suitability of the proposals of a station in her village, telling the BBC that the proposals would effectively swap “greenbelt for a car park”.
“You would lose its sense of being a conservation area, so I can't see anything positive about it,” Jackson said.
Last November, the government confirmed its preferred route for phase 2 of HS2, selecting the Y-shaped route travelling from Crewe to Manchester and from the West Midlands to Leeds.
While the government confirmed its plans to build two new HS2 stations in the north west at Manchester airport and next to Manchester Piccadilly, the decision as to where Sheffield’s station will be has been further postponed. The government is currently consulting on several proposed changes to the original Phase 2b route, with the consultation due to close on 9 March 2017.
(Image c. Rui Vieira - PA Wire)
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