Friday, January 10, 2025

News: Rotherham mainline station could be platform for 1,800 new jobs

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Plans for a new multimillion pound station on the mainline in Rotherham show that it would be surrounded by business, retail, community and housing offerings which could generate 1,800 new jobs.

Efforts to secure land at Forge Way, Parkgate for an integrated station on the mainline and a tram-train stop are being undertaken whilst a masterplan is being developed.

Rothbiz revealed in 2024 that a blueprint for the regeneration of land in the station vicinity includes the development of an Innovation Campus to the West of the core station area.

New details, published in documents designed to attract prospective tenants to the Forge Island development in Rotherham town centre, highlight that a regeneration project based around a multi-platform rail station could generate "approx. 1,800 new jobs and business opportunities, including new revenue streams."

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The Outline Business Case for Rotherham Mainline Station is being finalised, having been delayed. It is now anticipated to be submitted by February 2025 to South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and May 2025 to the Department for Transport (DfT). To strengthen the business case, Rotherham Council said that a review was required to fully incorporate the wider economic benefits, as well as additional informal consultation with railway stakeholders in advance of Outline Business Case submission.

A station on the mainline would mean services to Leeds would be 30 minutes faster, 35 minutes faster to York and 40 minutes faster to Birmingham.

Documents state: "Situated within 5 minutes of the town centre a new mainline station offers the opportunity to re-establish direct mainline rail services to Rotherham with local connectivity offered by a new tram-train stop. Together this will radically improve the town’s connectivity, delivering social, economic, and environmental benefits.

"The mainline station at Rotherham was included in the recent “Network North” policy paper. The provision of a new station is not dependent on plans to improve rail connections between Sheffield and Leeds and indeed could form an early improvement for the wider corridor.

"The project aims to create a destination transport hub, with recreation amenity, retail and commercial space, new homes, and an environment suitable for a new “innovation campus”. This builds on the region’s Advanced Manufacturing and Technology specialisms anchored in Rotherham’s Advanced Manufacturing Park, and will offer accommodation for up to 1,800 new jobs.

"The site has been identified and early-stage land acquisition has begun. The current plan aims towards opening the new mainline station by Summer 2029."

Images: RMBC

19 comments:

Ophelia Teteh,  January 10, 2025 at 11:42 AM  

Sounds great in theory, but is it realistic to think it will actually ever happen?

Anonymous,  January 10, 2025 at 2:19 PM  

As someone who commutes into a Leeds office 2 days a week I would welcome the reduction in journey times.

Mike Hockener,  January 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM  

I agree, at certain times it's almost possible to drive to Leeds and back in the time it takes to go one way by train from Rotherham.

Anonymous,  January 10, 2025 at 2:47 PM  

Be good,but can't see it happening any time soon, especially with the coming economic collapse, labour don't know what they're doing, totally out of there depth.

Anonymous,  January 10, 2025 at 3:41 PM  

Can't come soon enough.

Anonymous,  January 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM  

I very much doubt there will be an economic collapse. There is a lot of press around this from the right wing media, though the fact that these were the same people championing Liz Truss should tell you everything you need to know

Anonymous,  January 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM  

Economic collapse my backside! Absolute garbage

Anonymous,  January 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM  

The Labour voters are out in force trying to crush dissent!

Jez January 10, 2025 at 8:00 PM  

How much dissent did you show when Truss was in power?

Anonymous,  January 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM  

What times are those?

Anonymous,  January 10, 2025 at 11:19 PM  

A lot, I’m not a Tory

Anonymous,  January 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM  

How do you feel about your pal falling out with Musk?

Anonymous,  January 11, 2025 at 6:37 PM  

No pal of mine has ever fallen out with Musk.

Anonymous,  January 12, 2025 at 12:04 AM  

Non rush hour times

Anonymous,  January 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM  

Masboro station is on the main line why not reopen that it’s the same distance as Parkgate from the town.

Anonymous,  January 12, 2025 at 8:16 AM  

I agree. It would bring fantastic benefits.

Anonymous,  January 12, 2025 at 10:13 AM  

It could help regenerate the area as well, and it’s less congested with traffic.

Anonymous,  January 12, 2025 at 9:33 PM  

I would agree too, but the downside is there wouldn’t be the tram train link.

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