19.07.19
Sheffield City Region mayor launches major rail plan
An ambitious new plan for the future of the Sheffield City Region’s rail network was launched today by the city region’s mayor.
The Integrated Rail Plan, produced by Sheffield City Region and its local authority partners, sets out how the region aims to be better connected by both high speed and conventional rail networks in the future.
The plan has been welcomed by the Department for Transport.
Mayor Dan Jarvis said: “This is a landmark moment for our region. For the first time government, regional partners and our local authorities have come together to welcome a vision for the future of our rail services.
“A new station in the Dearne Valley will offer potentially transformational regeneration opportunities for that area.
“But although individual pieces of infrastructure are undoubtedly important, the most important feature of this plan is that it ties together separate projects such as HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail into one cohesive whole.”
 "Sheffield station (Lynne Cameron, PA Images)")
Key elements of the plan include a proposed new Barnsley Dearne Valley railway station, the creation of a new Midland Main Line station in Rotherham and an East Coast Main Line station at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
The plan also proposes an extension of the tram-train system, the upgrade of the Hope Valley Line and significant upgrades of the railway stations at both Sheffield and Chesterfield to accommodate HS2 services.
Welcoming the plans, Mark Thurston, chief executive of HS2, said: “Plans for local road and rail investment will ensure that when HS2 arrives, communities and businesses across the region will be well placed to benefit from more and better-connected rail services.”
(Picture: Lynne Cameron/PA Images)