News: Improving connectivity between Rotherham and Sheffield

The introduction of the first tram-trains in the UK moved a step closer as train operator Northern Rail issued an Invitation to Tender to build and maintain the modern, lightweight vehicles. The ITT invites responses for the manufacture and maintenance of a minimum of five tram-trains, which will operate on the 37-mile Penistone line between Sheffield, Barnsley and Huddersfield during a two-year trial. The trial will start in late 2010, will take two years and is designed to test the suitability of the UK rail network for tram-trains. There is also an option for a second phase to the trial, which would involve the tram-trains running from Rotherham and then joining the Sheffield Supertram system to see what additional benefits the vehicles can deliver when extended on city centre tram lines. The recently published Yorkshire and Humber route utilisation strategy (RUS) also looks at improving connectivity between Rotherham and Sheffield. Stakeholders believe that three trains per hour through Rotherham is insufficient and one of the options in the appraisal is to double the "Holmes Chord" line which links Rotherham with Sheffield, increasing frequency from three to five trains per hour.

Northern Rail website
Network Rail RUS website

Rotherham