News: Public funding approved for South Yorkshire Airport City project

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard and Council Leaders have taken a historic decision to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, approving a £160m (£159.52m) funding package.

The decision was made at a meeting of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board (SYMCA). All five board members voted unanimously in favour of the funding, including Rotherham Council leader, Chris Read, paving the way for the airport’s reopening.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed in November 2022, leaving South Yorkshire one of the largest UK city regions without an international aviation presence.

Since it closed, the Mayors of South Yorkshire and Doncaster, along with local authority partners and central government have worked at pace to explore the opportunity to return aviation to the region through a reopened airport with a viable future.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, said: “We’re reopening DSA. Today, we’ve made a historic decision; to invest in the plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, and to create a sustainable aviation and advanced manufacturing hub at Gateway East.

“I’ve always said I wanted to reopen DSA, but we needed to know exactly what the plan looked like. That’s why we’ve taken the time and done the work. No plan of this size or scale is ever easy, or without risks, but today we’ve taken a bold step forward, backed by data, expertise, and a shared vision for the type of South Yorkshire we want to build, because DSA is a unique opportunity.

“The plan we have backed today is about more than holiday flights or passenger numbers, it’s a long-term commitment to drive jobs, growth and opportunities in sustainable aviation, advanced manufacturing, freight, and even the defence sector, here in South Yorkshire.”

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The majority of the funding required, £121.62m, has been earmarked from Gainshare funding allocated to City of Doncaster Council’s Place Investment Plan. Gainshare funding refers to the money committed to South Yorkshire through the Devolution Deal agreed by the MCA, South Yorkshire local authorities and government.

Significant passenger operations are not likely to commence until summer 2028 but with potential for limited passenger activity and cargo from winter 2027.

On voting to approve the use of funding, Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: "Clearly this is a huge asset for the South Yorkshire economy, with enormous potential for driving forward jobs and opportunities for people in our region. And that benefit will be felt far beyond Doncaster. So am satisfied on that basis, and on the basis of the conversations that we've had over recent weeks and months that this is an appropriate use of public money and a wise thing for us to do to take forward the South Yorkshire economy."

On the politics of the decision, Read added: "We live in a time where there is minute by minute commentary on the decisions that we take and the way that we hold ourselves in public office. and Ros [Mayor of City of Doncaster Council Ros Jones] has shown exemplarary leadership through that period of time.

"Because none of this is easy. It was not in awy way inevitable that we would be here today making this decision. We can only do that because of the leadership that Ros and Doncaster Council have provided.

"Because of the way that the South Yorkshire Mayor has been able to look at all the feasible ways that this could proceed, and to weight those risks. And because of the way the officers at the MCA have then taken their responsibility so seriously to weigh those risks, to look at the pros and cons, to work with us as politicians and to look at credible, serious ways that we can facilitate economic growth in South Yorkshire."

Carrie Sudbury, Chief Executive, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber said: “The decision to re-open Doncaster airport today is a milestone moment for South Yorkshire and we welcome the decision reached today.

"Today marks the end of an extensive consultation period, which clearly laid out the strong business case for re-opening. I hope that with funding now secured and consultations completed, this marks the beginning of an exciting new phase which will ultimately see flights return to the skies in South Yorkshire.

"My hope is that the re-opening of Doncaster airport will act as a catalyst towards boosting growth across the region, helping to connect the truly unique and innovative work being delivered throughout South Yorkshire, as well as helping our business community to explore new opportunities within international markets. At the same time, the decision is likely to create many new jobs within the regional economy as well as helping to drive inward investment into South Yorkshire."

SYMCA website

Images: SYMCA

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News: Defence Growth Deal for South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire is set for a boost through the launch of a £250m fund for Defence Growth Deals which will improve collaboration, foster innovation and create jobs in areas with untapped potential.

The Defence Industrial Strategy sets out how gonvernment spending on defence can benefit local economies, from highly skilled engineering positions to apprenticeships for young people starting their careers.

Initial analysis indicates there could be an additional demand of up to 50,000 defence jobs by 2034/35 with increases in defence spending. Defence Growth Deals will play an important role in capitalising on that skilled employment potential for communities across the UK.

South Yorkshire is one of five deals that will be backed by a total of £250m of defence spending over the next five years, underpinned by this Government’s historic increase in defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and the ambition to hit 3% in the next Parliament.

They will forge long-term partnerships between national, devolved and local government, uniting businesses and research institutions to harness local expertise and resources in defence and the dual-use sectors. They will support the UK Armed Forces and deliver benefits for working people through the government’s Plan for Change.

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Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said: "The Defence Industrial Strategy will make defence an engine for growth across the UK, backing British jobs, British industry and British innovators.

"Defence Growth Deals offer a new partnership with UK Defence to build on industrial and innovation strengths that regions already hold. Together we aim to drive an increase in defence skills, SMEs and jobs across all four nations.

"We want to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a defence firm and will put Britain at the leading edge of innovation."

The new fund builds on the success of the Plan for Barrow. The deals, created in partnership with industry, local government and other regional organisations, will see investment in that area’s sub-sector specialisms, harnessing their ingenuity and mass, while also launching specific interventions that help support that defence ecosystem and the places themselves, delivering long-term and sustainable regional growth across the UK.

South Yorkshire is identified as a key hub for the development and engineering of high integrity, precision materials for the defence sector, including at MOD-owned Sheffield Forgemasters.

The region is also home to the University of Sheffield’s world-leading Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) which has multimillion pound facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham. A growing defence cluster is being bolstered by BAE Systems new artillery factory in Sheffield.

The strategy set out that in South Yorkshire, "we will further leverage the region’s strengths in the research, development and engineering of high-grade components and materials critical to the next generation of maritime, land and air capabilities."

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, said: "South Yorkshire has always been at the forefront of our country's security. We supplied munitions in both world wars, we are the home of the Vulcan and we are helping to build the submarines of tomorrow at Forgemasters in Sheffield. Now, the government has asked us to do even more to keep this country safe as we face up to the challenges of an evermore uncertain future.

"The Defence Growth Deal we've just been awarded isn't just a critical part of the UK's new Defence Industrial Strategy, it's a vote of confidence in the work we do here in South Yorkshire, from quantum computing to material science. That deal will offer very real opportunities for companies across Barnsley, Rotherham, Sheffield and Doncaster. It will mean more secure, well-paid jobs and it will power the growth that will make us all better off."

Images: BAE Systems / Forgemaster

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News: How does Rotherham compare to other "left behind" UK towns and cities?

Not great.

A pack of government data regarding Rotherham has been published that will help guide the borough on how a £20m investment will be made over the next ten years.

The data, which covers key issues such as vacant property, crime rates and footfall, shows that there is still much to do, even to match the national averages.

£20m earmarked for Rotherham by the previous Government has been confirmed and given a wider remit focusing on neighbourhood renewal and improving social capital.

Consultation is seen as key to how the money is spent as the programme aims to empower local people to take ownership for driving the renewal of their neighbourhood. The £1.5 billion programme sets out to invest in 75 areas over the next decade – "a long-term strategy to fix the foundations of those places most left behind."

Rothbiz reported last month on the early findings of the public consultation in Rotherham.

Money will be spent inside the boundary chosen by Government, known as a "Built Up Area." It is based on data provided by the Office for National Statistics and is the area of a town characterised by urban features such as town centres, major infrastructure and larger populations.

Rotherham's built up area is focused on the town centre but extends out to neighbourhoods including Kimberworth Park and Wingfield to the North, Eastwood and East Dene in the East, Canklow and Broom in the South, and Templeborough and Blackburn in the West.

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Vacancy rates have always been an issue, especially in Rotheham which lies in close proximity to the popular Meadowhall and Parkgate shopping centres. The data pack has the commercial vacancy rate in the Rotherham built up area at June 2025 as 19.1%, nearly double the England average of 10.4%.

Out of the built up areas receiving government cash (where data is recorded), Rotherham's vacancy rate is the fifth highest behind Grimsby (22.6%), Dewsbury (21.1%), Hartlepool (19.7%) and Accrington (19.6%).

Data is from the Local Data Company (LDC) and Green Street so may not be comparable to Rotherham Council data which showed a 25% vacancy rate for September 2019 and 31% at the height of lockdown in September 2020.

Whilst new businesses have taken up units in Rotherham, and traders have relocated and expanded, regeneration schemes are also having an impact, not least with Rotherham Council acquiring properties to knock them down for redevelopment - the vacated Primark and Wilko buildings being the prime examples.

The data pack includes a stat for footfall that is based on anonymised and aggregated mobile network data by Virgin Media O2 to work out the average daily number of outbound journeys (not including journeys to home) within the built up areas over the period April 2022 - March 2023.

Essentially it estimates the people leaving the built up area during the course of the day. Rotherham has the 2nd highest figure of the 75 "left behind" areas indicating that those that live in the area often travel out of the area, be it for work or otherwise.

Allthough the area does include popular industrial estates such as Templeborough, Eastwood and Aldwarke, the data, albeit from 2011, does show the close link to Sheffield when it comes to employment.

20,737 workers living in the Rotherham built up area also worked there but 9,197 traveled to Sheffield from Rotherham. Comparatively 21,165 from Barnsley stayed in Barnsley for work and 2,091 worked in Sheffield. For Doncaster 27,959 stayed in the area for work with 1,506 working in Sheffield.

Both Parkgate Shopping and Meadowhall are outside the boundary of the built up area. According to 2019 customer survey data, 25% of Meadowhall's total visitors came from Rotherham.

Completed regeneration efforts have prompted green shoots in the town centre. Rothbiz reported in April that footfall across Rotherham town centre during 2024 was 10% higher than the previous year with developers, Muse, pointing to the impact of the opening of the Forge Island leisure scheme in attracting visitors.

Preceptions around crime and people saying that they don't feel safe is also a key issue.

The main indicator here is recorded crime rate per 1,000 population (2022). Again, Rotherham's built up area figure (131) is way above the England average of 76.7.

For crime rates, Rotherham is ranked 13th out of the 70 areas where data is available. Interestingly, given many people's perceptions, both Barnsley (146) and Doncaster (142.8) built up areas, that will also both receive £20m, have higher recorded crime rates per 1,000 population than Rotherham.

On a positive note, the stats in which Rotherham comes out well include gigabit broadband coverage and those around housing affordability and access to services.

Images: BRH / Muse

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News: "Multiple companies" interested in Speciality Steel business

Multiple companies are interested and have come forward regarding the operations of Liberty Speciality Steels UK, the Minister for Industry has confirmed.

A Parliamentary debate took place this week over the insolvency of the company following the approval by a judge of an application from creditors to place the business, previously part of Liberty Steel and GFG Alliance, into compulsory liquidation.

Speaking during the debate, Minister for Industry, Sarah Jones said: "We believe that this viable industry is languishing unnecessarily. The Government will provide the right support through interventions such as our energy reduction measures, and work with the official receiver.

"Multiple companies are interested and coming forward, and we need to establish how viable those offers are and what the best situation is. Of course, the official receiver must think of the best outcome for the creditors, but we take a close interest in that.

"I very much believe that the steelmaking sites in Rotherham, Stocksbridge, Brinsworth and Wednesbury have a future. I am keen to see them return to production, but that has to be achieved through private investment by an owner who can invest in the workforce and in the future of the business so that they put it on a long-term, sustainable footing. We know that the business environment has not been good enough for the UK’s steel industry, which is why we have already made substantial changes to secure a stronger future for it."

Liberty bosses said after the judge's decision that it would "continue to advance its bid for the business in collaboration with prospective debt and equity partners."

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Parliamentary documents also show that the Department for Business and Trade has provided the Official Receiver with a letter of comfort and a letter of indemnity which effectivley covers costs.

The Official Receiver will now carry out the proper performance and duties expected as the official receiver and liquidator of the company. This includes overseeing the winding-down of the company’s business and affairs and distributing assets of the company in the ordinary course as the official receiver's duties as liquidator.

But the governmnent is also covering the cost of investigating the cause of failure and identifying any asset recoveries against the company, current/former directors of the company, and any other parties.

The update added that: "it is not possible at this stage to accurately quantify the value of the overall funding requirement with relation to the letter of comfort and letter of indemnity" but costs are expected to be reported to Parliament when they are more accurately known.

Jones added: "The company has faced severe financial and operational difficulties since 2021. Liberty Speciality Steels had failed to file accounts for over six years — a failure that has led to a separate prosecution by Companies House of its parent company. I am sure that the official receiver will want to gain a better understanding of the company’s business and the conduct of its directors leading up to the liquidation. I also inform the House that the director of the company is currently under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office for suspected fraud, fraudulent trading and money laundering.

"In the case of Liberty Steel, the lack of transparency, the legal and financial risks and the complete absence of reliable corporate information meant we had no credible route to act before insolvency.

"The official receiver will look at what is true and what is not, because there have not been any accounts published for many years. They will establish what has happened. The Secretary of State has written to the Insolvency Service today to ask it to take special account of the Serious Fraud Office investigation, and to pass over any information it uncovers to the Serious Fraud Office, so that it can do its work."

The Rotherham site includes two electric arc furnaces (EAFs). The first casts at Aldwarke were produced in 1964. The N-Furnace, which was installed in 1993, is the larger of the two EAFs and was mothballed in 2015 at the height of the global steel crisis. Liberty reignited the N-Furnace in 2018 and the 800,000-tonne-a-year capacity furnace turns scrap metal into specialised steels for uses such as vehicle gearboxes or aircraft landing gear.

The UK company was hit by the collapse of Greensill, a specialist in invoice financing that operated with less regulation than the traditional banks. In its current state, Aldwarke is producing only minimal volumes of steel and with many employees still on furlough. "We want to turn that around," the minister added.

Images: Google Maps / Liberty Steel

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News: MP raises plight of steel firm's apprentices in Parliament

Apprentices due to start at Liberty Steel in South Yorkshire are some of the first casualties of the company being placed into liquidation.

An Official Receiver was appointed last month as liquidator of Speciality Steel UK Ltd (SSUK) with Teneo Financial Advisory Limited appointed as Special Managers of the company, previously part of Liberty Steel and the GFG Aliiance, to assist the Official Receiver with the liquidation.

Sarah Champion, the MP for Rotherham, joined fellow MPs in a debate on the issue and asked the Minister for Industry, Sarah Jones about the support for workers in Rotherham and Stocksbridge, included around 30 new start apprentices.

The minister stated: "A number of apprentices were due to start this week, but the official receiver took the decision that, given that the 12-month continuation of the apprenticeships could not be guaranteed, it was right to try to find them other placements.

"I am taking a close personal interest in what happens to those 50 people. I know the local authority and the Department for Education are trying to ensure that we can find other places for them. I want to make sure that we can do so, because one of the things this Government are passionate about is ensuring that our young people have the apprenticeships to give them support for the jobs that we know we need into the future."

Liberty's Speciality Steels' apprenticeship programme is renowned in the region and often features amongst the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.

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In April it announced 19 new apprenticeship opportunities for 2025 in the following roles: Electrical Engineer Apprentice, Mechanical Engineer Apprentice, General Welder Apprentice, Non-Destructive Testing Apprentice, Process Control (Electrical) Apprentice, Materials Engineering Degree Apprentice, Electrical Engineering Degree Apprentice.

Training partners include Sheffield Hallam University (Degree Apprenticeships), Sheffield College and Lavender International NDT Consultancy Services Limited. The length of apprenticeships varies depending on the programme, but is typically between one and five years.

Just last month, Tony Goddard, Training & Development Manager at Liberty Steel, explained: "Our Apprentices gain high-level skills and experience, initially through the expert instructors at the training centre, and later on, through our experienced craftspeople in the business. They’re learning the trade and essential life skills at the same time.

“And for the business, it’s about safeguarding the future. Developing talent in-house means we retain essential skills and keep our plants running efficiently. It also has a positive ripple effect our workforce takes pride in mentoring the next generation. There’s real energy around that.”

For the existing 1,400 employees, the official receiver has confirmed that August salaries were released and added that it was "urgently working with the Company and the pension provider to clarify the pension position in more detail."

Liberty Steel website

Images: Liberty Steel

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News: Work begins on Thrybergh Country Park revamp

Work is underway on a café refurbishment project and outdoor landscaping at a country park in Rotherham.

The café upgrade – set to be completed this winter - will transform the aging building at Thrybergh Country Park into a modern lakeside hub with improved indoor and outdoor seating, better access, and upgraded facilities.

Rothbiz reported last month on local firm O&P Construction had been appointed as the main contractor by Rotherham Council.

The project has been given a budget of £789,873 and is being funded by a £19.9m package of investment secured by the Council from the Government’s Pathfinder funding.

Improvements include a new kitchen, an updated interior, a new outdoor terrace and fully accessible toilets and entrances.

The café will also feature modern design elements that blend with the park’s natural surroundings, while visitors with a sweet tooth are in for a treat, as the new café will serve ice cream.

While the work is underway, a temporary café service will operate at the nearby Tutti Fruitti ice cream parlour, so visitors can still enjoy refreshments during their visit.

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The work at Thrybergh is part of the Council’s wider aim to build a thriving leisure offer and visitor economy in Rotherham.

Cllr Lynda Marshall, Cabinet Spokesperson for Community Safety and Street Scene, said: “Thrybergh Country Park is one of our most loved green spaces, and this investment will help it reach its full potential as a welcoming, accessible destination for residents and visitors alike.

“The café refurbishment is just one example of how we’re forging ahead and enhancing our local attractions to support wellbeing and Rotherham’s growing visitor economy, by creating jobs and encouraging more people to spend time - and money - in our borough.”

In addition to the work at Thrybergh, the £19.9m package is being used to create a new café at Rother Valley Country Park, transform part of Wentworth Woodhouse’s Grade I listed stable block to include a new commercial kitchen, café and events space, while Magna has benefited from exhibition upgrades and an improved visitor experience.

The investment has also led to the creation of Skills Street at Gulliver's Valley Resort and a new incubator space at the former Maltby Grammar School.

A larger project was initially planned for Thrybergh with £2.5m plans for a new café building, but they were scrapped due to rising costs.

O&P Construction website

Images: RMBC

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News: Consultees raise same issues again in "left behind" Rotherham

Consultation is underway that will guide a £20m investment into the town over the next ten years, and the issue of feeling safe is coming to the fore again.

Consultees (people who live, work or visit the main urban areas around the town centre) assessed the area low in most themes and picked out safety, run-down streets and parking as key issues.

Rothbiz reported in March that £20m earmarked for Rotherham by the previous Government had been confirmed and given a wider remit focusing on neighbourhood renewal and improving social capital.

Now called Plan for Neighbourhoods, the £1.5 billion programme sets out to invest in 75 areas over the next decade – "a long-term strategy to fix the foundations of those places most left behind." It focuses on three core themes: Thriving Places, Stronger Communities, and Taking Back Control. These themes aim to revitalise local areas, address deprivation, and empower residents by focusing on local needs and priorities.

The findings echo the previous consultation carried out before the government revamped the strategy. Rotherham's long term plan for towns included the key themes of safety and security, high streets, heritage and regeneration, and transport and connectivity.

An update to councillors explains that Rotherham is one of 75 places to receive funding based on its level of need. Money will be spent inside the boundary chosen by Government, known as a "Built Up Area." It is based on data provided by the Office for National Statistics and is the area of a town characterised by urban features such as town centres, major infrastructure and larger populations.

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Consultation used the "Place Standard" tool to assess and improve the quality of places by helping to identify what's good about a place, what needs to be protected, changed, or improved.

Results so far show that the lowest score was for the Influence & Sense of Control theme which scored an average of 2.83 out of 7. A council paper said that "Residents don’t feel listened to. While surveys and councillors are valued, people want clearer evidence that feedback leads to change."

The next lowest theme was Feeling Safe at 2.91, the report adding: "Safety is one of the biggest concerns. Crime, antisocial behaviour, and intimidation make people feel unsafe, especially at night. CCTV and lighting are valued but seen as not enough."

Parking problems in neighbourhoods, litter and fly-tipping have also been flagged up.

In the Street & Spaces theme, the report highlights that "heritage and recent improvements valued, but many streets fee [sic] run-down and in need of better upkeep" and in the Identity & Belonging theme, consultees expressed "pride in heritage, diversity, and friendliness, but stigma and negative perceptions persist. Residents want more positive promotion of Rotherham."

Natural Spaces scored an avaerage of 4.18 out of 7 and was the seen as the strongest asset where parks and countryside was highly valued, "with Clifton Park and Thrybergh often mentioned."

A raft of interventions have been pre-approved by the government which can address the issues from the consultation.

The council report said: "The allocation of funding will be informed by the built-up-area data provided by Government and consultation feedback. Interventions will be prioritised where they have collective benefits and meet the needs of the Geography as a whole."

Undertaking meaningful engagement with the local community is seen a central pillar of the funding and "Neighbourhood Boards" will work up a Regeneration Plan – in partnership with the local authority - to deliver the strategic objectives of the programme.

Rotherham's Regeneration Plan will be submitted to government by November 2025, following which the first tranche of funding will be released in April 2026, broken down to approximately £2m per year with a 75% / 25% split between Capital and Revenue.

The £20m fund is set to be discussed at the council's next Improving Places Select Commission.

Images: South Yorkshire Police / RMBC

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News: Grants of up to £25,000 to help breathe new life into Rotherham high streets

Businesses on high streets across the borough have the opportunity to benefit from a makeover thanks to a £270,000 Rotherham Council investment.

As part of its commitment to breathe new life into Rotherham’s high streets and create thriving neighbourhoods, the Council has launched the Shop Unit Business Grant Project, funded through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), with support from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

The grant aims to help high street businesses in the town centre, Dinnington, Maltby, Swinton and Wath-Upon-Dearne enhance their premises by funding improvements that will contribute to their overall look, feel and vibrancy.

Eligible businesses can apply for grants of up to £25,000 to improve the look and feel of their shop units. Improvements could include new shopfronts, signage, flooring, lighting and other refurbishments that will enhance the attractiveness of local high streets.

Businesses are being encouraged to act quickly, with grants awarded on a first come, first served basis until the full allocation is spent.

Applications are open until October 30 2025, with all projects set to be completed by the end of December 2025.

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Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy said: “We’re committed to forging ahead and breathing new life into our high streets across the borough.

“This funding represents an opportunity to support the local businesses at the heart of our communities. By investing in the look and feel of shops located in our town centres, we’re helping to create more vibrant, welcoming spaces for residents, shoppers and visitors alike. I’d encourage all eligible businesses to apply early and make the most of this support.”

Businesses interested should contact Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO) for more information via businessgrants@rotherham.gov.ukl

The cabinet at Rotherham Council approved plans in March for the £3.28m of UKSPF for 2025/26, a transitional year allocation.

£945,256 is for business support with £60,000 set aside for enhancing the operation of the outdoor market during the current redevelopment. Rotherham Children’s Capital of Culture is set to receive further funding with £275,000 for the extension of the successful traineeship programme. £200,000 has been allocated for marketing to support the communications and reach of the festival year.

Rothbiz reported in January on proposals put forward for Rotherham Council's latest budget which included £50,000 for free parking. One hour’s free parking has recently been introduced in council-run car parks in Rotherham town centre.

The investment across Rotherham’s high streets will be complemented by the introduction of a new ‘Street Safe Team’ focused on increasing safety in town and village centres, as well as a new team dedicated to roadside cleansing, with a focus on popular routes and key gateways.

RiDO website

Images: RMBC

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News: Further reaction to Liberty Steel liquidation

Last week a judge approved an application from creditors to place Speciality Steel UK Ltd (SSUK) into compulsory liquidation.

An Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator with Teneo Financial Advisory Limited appointed as Special Managers of the company, previously part of Liberty Steel and the GFG Aliiance, to assist the Official Receiver with the liquidation.

The court heard that the Department for Business and Trade had been preparing in the event of an Official Receiver being appointed, and was prepared to take control of SSUK’s affairs.

The company has operations in Rotherham and Sheffield. South Yorkshire's Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said that the news was "difficult, but offers the opportunity for clarity and a path forward. There is and will continue to be a period of uncertainty for workers at Liberty’s two sites in South Yorkshire.

"So I welcome the positive comments from the Secretary of State for Business in the wake of the Court’s decision.

"I now want to see swift progress from government to safeguard the unique steel making capabilities we have here in our region. I will be seeking a conversation with Ministers as a matter of urgency and will do everything I can to make sure that workers at Liberty Steel and the steel industry that is so integral to our identity, have the brightest possible future."

Secretary of State for Business, Jonathan Reynolds, has described the steelworks and its workers as important strategic assets for the UK, and wants them to have a strong future as part of the UK's overall steel strategy.

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Liberty employs around 1,450 people within the Speciality business and provides a wide range of specialist steel products.

Speciality Steels provides vital steelmaking capacity in aerospace, defence and power generation. The steel made by Liberty Speciality Steels can be found in vessels including aircraft carriers, military aircraft components and defence systems, landing gear, controls and in components for oil and gas, power generation, rail and beyond.

UK Steel Director General, Gareth Stace, said: “UK Steel welcomes the Government’s recognition of the importance of the Liberty Speciality Steel assets and hopes that a new owner is found quickly and can inject the investment and working capital required to return production volumes to previous levels.

“The assets produce high quality, specialist steels that serve high value markets. The low production levels of recent years have left significant holes in the domestic supply chain that have been filled by imports. We hope to see these holes quickly filled by UK-made steel.

“The Government must continue to push on trade defence and reducing the burden of energy costs so that the Speciality Steels business, and the rest of the UK steel ecosystem, is sustainable, and steel workers will in future be spared from the limbo state that the employees in South Yorkshire have endured.”

Community General Secretary Roy Rickhuss CBE said: “This is an extremely worrying time for our members at Liberty Steel, but the Government’s intervention must mark a turning point to deliver certainty for these strategically important businesses.

“Crucially, jobs must be protected throughout any restructuring and transition to new ownership. Steelworkers at Liberty Steel are highly-skilled and hugely experienced; they are quite frankly irreplaceable and will be critical to delivering future success for the businesses.

“As a first priority wages must be paid and the outstanding twelve months of pensions contributions must be secured. Resolving pay and pensions is urgent and we are closely monitoring the situation, but in talks with senior officials we have received firm assurances that both matters are in hand.

“We welcome the Government’s intervention which is yet another demonstration of our Labour Government’s commitment to delivering for steelworkers and our vital foundation industry. However, in taking control of the business the Government has assumed responsibility for our livelihoods and our communities, and we will of course be holding them to account.”

Sheffield City Council Leader, Cllr Tom Hunt, said: "This will be a difficult period of uncertainty for the workers at Liberty Steel and we appreciate that the news yesterday will have caused concern.

"The Government have agreed to step in to safeguard jobs in the short-term. We hope this brings assurance for those who work there, as well as for those who live in the areas around Liberty Steel’s sites and rely on the steelworks for their own businesses.

"The steel industry is a big part of Sheffield’s past, present and future. We continue to work proactively with all stakeholders to safeguard the future of Liberty Steel, and the industry as a whole in Sheffield and South Yorkshire. We are committed to work alongside the Mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard and Cllr Chris Read and our colleagues at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to ensure a viable path forward can be found for Liberty Steel and its dedicated staff."

Liberty Steel website

Images: Google Maps

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News: £4.4m Rotherham riverside improvement works complete

A transformative £4.4m improvement scheme along the Rotherham riverside is now complete, opening up more land for housing developments in the town centre.

Delivered by Esh Construction on behalf of Rotherham Council, the project included the construction of a new access road and a riverside footpath linking Water Lane to the town centre, alongside extensive landscaping and infrastructure upgrades.

Works involved cut and fill operations, deep drainage, invasive weed removal, pavement construction, and the installation of gabion baskets to form a retaining wall feature. The project also included cosmetic repairs to the existing masonry river wall, carried out by rope access-trained personnel.

A key component of the scheme saw complex piling works used to futureproof the riverbank and support the Riverside walkway. Over 250 sheet piles – 127 pairs weighing up to six tonnes each and measuring between 14-18 metres in length – were installed over a five-week period.

These piles formed a new foundation to support the new riverside route behind the existing river wall, designed with a 100-year lifespan to ensure long-term stability and resilience while a capping beams and balustrade were also installed to complete the new riverside route.

Michael Sherrard, Construction Manager at Esh Construction, said: “This project has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase our expertise in complex civil engineering. We’re proud to have successfully completed this transformative scheme, which plays an important part in the wider regeneration of Rotherham town centre.

“The project is a great example of the collaborative partnership we’ve built with Rotherham Council, and we look forward to continuing that relationship through future projects that help shape the town’s future.”

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Cllr John Williams, Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, added: “We’re delighted to see this infrastructure project completed, opening up a new footpath along the river and wider site that pave the way for future development in Rotherham town centre.

“The scheme has also delivered a brand-new access road alongside significant landscaping and infrastructure improvements.

“As we continue to invest in the future of our town centre, and bring brownfield housing sites forward, works like these are an essential part of the redevelopment. It’s all part of the work we need to build a smarter environment, supporting a brighter future for this corner of town.”

As part of the £31.6m Town Deal programme, government funding is being used to continue the development of a Riverside Residential Quarter. The authority has continued to acquire land in the Sheffield Road area and are set to use a cluster approach "to create a sufficient quantum of development potential to tackle viability."

The project was procured through YORhub’s YORcivil2 framework. Through its Constructing Local strategy, which sees Esh maximise social and economic value for the local area, the social value team has delivered 66 apprentice weeks, 19 weeks of work experience, 392 hours of support into work through our Constructing Careers programme and 67% of operatives on the project were South Yorkshire residents.

Additionally, a community garden at Lighthouse Homes was redeveloped thanks to £8,200 of funding which was unlocked through the YOR4Good Fund community grant initiative. The garden’s makeover was part of plans to enhance the quality of life for the Lighthouse Homes residents, and saw Esh’s team, alongside agricultural students from RNN Group revamp the garden area and create a space for residents to grow fruit and vegetables for the facility.

The Rotherham Riverside scheme completion builds on Esh Construction’s delivery of public realm and active travel projects in the region, including Wellgate and Broom Road, Sheffield Road Cycleways, and Maltby Bus Corridor.

ESH Group website

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News: Guest & Chrimes hotel plans approved despite heritage concerns

A planning application has been approved by Rotherham Council for a long-awaited redevelopment of a former foundry on the edge of the town centre, despite concerns from Historic England over the demolition involved.

Only earlier this week, Rothbiz revealed that the government's statutory adviser on the historic environment had raised objections regarding the removal of two of the buildings at the fire-damaged former Guest & Chrimes foundry.

Now the application, and connected plans regarding listed building consent, have been approved, without the need to go before the authority's planning board.

Planners conclude that the benefits of the proposal, which they say "represents a significant opportunity to regenerate a long-vacant and historically important site within Rotherham town centre," outweighs the significant harm to the listed building.

The authority is also concerned that, without redevelopment, it may need to take back the property it leased to the football club and carry out costly urgent repairs itself.

A planning application was submitted in January for a new hotel development on the prominent site which is alongside Rotherham United's AESSEAL New York Stadium. Stewart Developments Ltd sought permission to convert and partly demolish the dilapidated existing Grade II listed building and link it to a new build property to create a new hotel.

The foundry use of the site ceased in 1990 and the building has been empty since 1999. A severe fire at the former brass and iron foundry in 2018 meant that the front portion was subsequently demolished.

Plans show that the 51,074 sq ft hotel would have 138 bedrooms and include a restaurant and bar. The largest northern range is set to be refurbished so that the hotel main entrance is located directly beneath the water tower. A new L-shaped building is set to replace the other two remaining wings as the retention of fire damaged blocks is seen as unviable.

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Historic England are not convinced that the applicant has provided the clear and convincing justification for the level of harm to this Grade II Listed Building and have requested that any decision to approve be referred to the Secretary of State.

A Rotherham Council planning report concludes: "Historic England’s comments are fully noted. However, the site in question is highly problematic from the perspective of potential redevelopment.

"The site falls within Flood Zone 2 and has been vacant for 26 years. The buildings have experienced substantial fire damage, and is currently in a very poor state of repair.

"Whilst urgent works have been considered by the Local Authority, these are unlikely to prevent the ongoing deterioration of the building and a scenario of serving a Repairs Notice is more likely. Due to the costs involved, this is likely to involve the Local Authority having to take back the lease of the building from the current lessee (the applicant), back to the Council, who are the freeholder, then fully repairing the building. This is a highly complex process and a huge financial burden for the Local Authority to take on. Any repairs to the building would ultimately require consideration of a future use of the building."

Applicants say that the proposed hotel development and the demolition of two wings "is considered the only viable opportunity available to deliver beneficial use."

As the site is designated for mixed use, it could accommodate some form of leisure or education use but the planning report shows that this is not viable due to the high costs of refurbishing the buildings and flood proofing the site. Office use is also not considered viable due the demand for office accommodation in Rotherham being low.

As a hotel, it is expected that a total of 60 jobs will be created on site (32 full-time and 28 part-time jobs).

The planner's report concludes: "The run-down state of the buildings creates a poor image for the town and the wider area. As such, the redevelopment of the site into a hotel with a high-quality design, along with the conversion of the most architecturally significant wing, would greatly enhance the immediate surroundings of the site as well as the image of the town from prominent transport nodes.

"The hotel use would provide an additional benefit to the borough helping to develop the town's visitor economy, within a sustainable location along with the increase in employment within the borough. As such, it is considered that the proposed hotel would provide substantial public benefits to the town centre in addition to preserving the most iconic elements of the listed building.

"While Historic England object to the proposals, the local planning authority is satisfied that the viability evidence provided by the applicant, site constraints, and public benefit of bringing this building back into use, provide clear and convincing justification for the proposed works."

The approval comes with a number of conditions. For example, following Historic England's concerns over justifying the demolition, the applicants will need to submit demonstrative proof that a hotel operator and appropriate developer has been secured before any demolition on the site takes place.

If the decision is referred to the Secretary of State, they could decide not to intervene or appoint an inspector to hold an inquiry or hearing. The inspector will then make a recommendation, and the Secretary of State will make the final decision.

Images: Stewart Developments / stephenson hamilton risley STUDIO

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News: Who will run the market as part of £12m Dinnington regeneration scheme?

Rotherham Council has been in discussion with the operators of Dinnington's current outdoor market regarding the future market operations as part of the £12m regeneration scheme in the town.

The authority has been critical of the way the operators, who also own the land, have carried out little investment and have let the site become "run-down" and "poorly maintained."

Rothbiz reported last month that all objections had been withdrawn just before a legal inquiry got underway into a compulsory purchase order (CPO) that would enable Rotherham Council to acquire the various land and property interests needed for the Government-funded project.

Legal papers show that Donna Nixon / Paylet Limited were seeking a sale and leaseback of the land with a licence to continue to operate the market. An offer was made to acquire the outdoor market land on terms that Rotherham Council's property consultants "consider to be better than compensation code provisions" and the objections were withdrawn.

In seperate negotiations, heads of terms were also prepared that would enable Paylet to operate the future market.

The Council’s scheme has been designed to include an outdoor market presence in an improved location and environment, one with demountable stalls which is designed to limit the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and provide dedicated welfare and storage facilities.

The council said last month that it had not heard anything back regarding the terms it had offered since January 2025.

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Representations for Rotherham Council justifying the CPO stated: "The outdoor market comprises basic low-height, steel pole framed, corrugated metal roofed market stalls on a concrete hardstanding. The layout and design of these stalls are regularly subject to anti-social behaviour, being situated on back land behind the shopping parade fronting Laughton Road.

"The area has been poorly maintained and the subject of numerous fires and is an escape route for those committing crimes in the neighbouring shops. The surfacing is in extremely poor condition and presents a danger to pedestrians."

The market trades infrequently on one day per week for 5.5 hours and lacks welfare facilities. The permanently affixed market stalls prevent the site being used for any other purpose.

Representations added: "The long-standing outdoor market has reduced its operation over a number of years, it is hidden behind shops fronting the high street and is of poor quality both in terms of assets and surfacing."

Positives on the current market operation pointed to its location close to the bus station and to the traders and well established businesses that engage with customers.

Lorna Vertigan, Head of Regeneration at Rotherham Council said: "Until the public sector was able to intervene, the multiple private sector owners have, for various reasons allowed the area to decline to the point that, in my opinion only a holistic place-making solution will now deliver the change required. This coupled with changes in shopping habits, car use and the general attractiveness of local shopping areas requires a public sector led regeneration solution capable of contributing to the promotion and improvement of the economic, social and environmental well-being of Dinnington.

"It is evident from the ongoing communication which dates back ... to 2018 that the Council has endeavoured to work alongside the operator to maintain and improve a market offer in Dinnington and to retain the same market operator in an improved setting."

As part of the next stage of the project, Rotherham Council is seeking to undertake the demolition of acquired units as soon as possible.

Images: RMBC / AHR

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News: Rotherham's new market and library to benefit from solar panel push

Great British Energy, the government’s publicly-owned clean energy company, has awarded mayoral authorities a share of £10m in grant funding to roll out clean energy projects at the centre of communities, with a major Rotherham regeneration project set to benefit.

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is set to establish the Mayoral Renewables Fund Grant Scheme following a request for £572,025.

The government’s clean energy superpower mission will protect billpayers, create jobs and bring greater energy security through delivering clean power by 2030. Great British Energy will accelerate this by developing, investing and building clean energy projects across the UK.

Great British Energy is already cutting energy bills for public services, with solar panels already installed on 11 schools as part of plans to roll out the panels on around 200 schools and 200 hospitals in England.

Seven new projects in Doncaster and Rotherham have been identified for solar panels.

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Last month Rotherham Council took the decision to utilise £350,000 of its own capital decarbonisation budget to maximise the solar photovoltaics (PV) on the town centre markets and library rooftops.

Construction is well underway on the £40.89m project which is due to be completed in 2027.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, said: “The Rotherham Outdoor Market scheme is a brilliant example of how innovation can power local adaptation and resilience. By reducing emissions and energy costs, we’re supporting the stallholders who are the beating heart of the market - helping them grow in the face of rising energy prices and making the market more attractive for both traders and shoppers."

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "Our plans will mean more money can be spent on the services that make working people better off and help strengthen the ties that bind us in our communities.

"This is what Great British Energy is all about - taking back control to deliver lower bills for good."

The Rotherham town centre development will include a refurbished indoor market and a modern and accessible central library, along with a new community hub and extensive public realm and improved links to the town centre and college. The renovations will build upon the existing mix of shops and services with the addition of a new food hub and dining area on the first floor.

The outdoor market will become a flexible space which can be used for exhibitions and events when required. The second floor will incorporate contemporary office spaces for charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups.

Images: RMBC

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News: Why are new cycle lanes being created across Rotherham?

If Rotherham Council wants to use government money to make multimillion pound investments in strategic transport routes in the borough, they will need to include cycle lanes, the authority has confirmed.

With Rotherham Council set to spend a further £24m on active travel schemes, the issue was raised in a recent full council meeting.

Consultation is currently being carried out on a £16.3m scheme that includes bike lanes, bus lanes and a built up roundabout at Eastwood, on the edge of Rotherham town centre. A similar £8m cycle lane and roundabout scheme is proposed for Stag Roundabout and Wickersley / Broom Road.

The schemes follow on from the the £6.4m Sheffield Road Cycleways and Maltby Bus Corridor schemes and the £3.6m Broom Road Cycleways scheme.

Sheffield Road Cycleways project has delivered over 2km of new cycle routes on the A6178 Sheffield Road and Westgate between the town centre and the borough boundary at Tinsley. Rothbiz reported how Rotherham Council was forced to explain the new road layout on Sheffield Road, which has introduced a single carriagway with cycle lanes that are not mandatory and instead indicate to drivers the distance they should leave when passing cyclists.

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The majority of funding is coming from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) through the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), a government funding stream. The funding requirements dictate that designs must promote decarbonisation by providing improved options for public transport, walking and cycling although Rotherham Council has earmarked funding for ideas proposed by the community for addressing isues in the neighbourhoods.

Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, told the meeting: "Any decision on funding is ultimately a decision for the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and the Department for Transport.

"If we only delivered the neighbourhood streets element of the scheme then potentially that would not be meeting the government's requirements for the funding. I should be clear that that requirement was set by the previous government and that requirement is to deliver a strategic route to enable people to walk, to cycle more and to help improve the speed and reliability of buses, to help people get about the borough.

"It is most likely, therefore, that if we to only do the scheme without the cycle lanes then it wouldn't be meeting that requirement"

Images: RMBC

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News: Investment to continue in Rotherham

Millions of pounds of investment has been made in Rotherham via the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), and there's more to come.

Nearly £190m of investment has been completed in South Yorkshire over the last two years supporting capital projects and Investment Zone activity supporting business expansion, new housebuilding, improvements to transport infrastructure and flood prevention.

WIth government money and powers diverted to South Yorkshire, SYMCA does not deliver all investments. The majority of projects are delivered by local authority partners, with some delivered directly by the private sector and other local and regional partners. Looking ahead, an Integrated Settlement is set to provide an opportunity for greater funding flexibility against the delivery of a set of outcomes agreed with Government.

SYMCA's Capital Investment Programme was recently dicussed at the authority's board.

For Rotherham, 16 schemes have been completed in the last two years with a total value of £78.1m.

Transport projects feature prominantly and include £40.1m towards the Parkway widening scheme and £13.2m for the new link road at Parkgate.

Completed regeneration projects in the borough include the second phase of Century Business Centre, which used £4.6m via SYMCA, and £2m being used in the town centre to progress projects such as Forge Island.

Brownfield housing projects in Rotherham have also secured millions of pounds to address viability.

Direct grants to support businesses expanding in Rotherham include the £1.5m that enabled SBD Apparel to move on to the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in the Investment Zone.

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Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: "Funding from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Capital Programme has enabled us to take forward key strategic projects in Rotherham, such as flood defence works in the town centre and across the borough, the Century 2 business centre, and Olive Lane development at Waverley, as well as future projects which will drive further growth across the borough.”

Projects currently in delivery and development supported by capital investment from SYMCA include Rotherham Gateway Station and the tram-train stop at Magna, more active travel schemes, flood alleviation schemes and the markets and library redevelopment.

Another Investment Zone project is expected to see £2m used to support the Advanced Blade Casting Facility (ABCF) in Rotherham - a cutting-edge supplier of high-value superalloy turbine blade castings for large civil jet engines.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “My job is growth, across all four corners of South Yorkshire.

“That means investing our money in plans and projects that unlock the potential of Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield. Working with our local councils, I’ve been able to fund nearly £190m of capital investment – money to build things, make things happen, and bring some iconic buildings and sites back to life.

"We’ve made real progress, but we’re not done yet. Our capital investments are laying the foundations for a wealthier, healthier, happier, and safer South Yorkshire. And as major developments come forward, they’ll unlock even more potential, bringing longterm benefits for generations to come.

"People often ask me: what’s devolution for? It’s about making decisions here, for here. It’s about restoring pride, prosperity and purpose to our communities. It’s about making sure people can stay near and go far, and ultimately it’s about making a positive difference to people’s lives."

Images: SYMCA

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News: Council continues to collaborate with Chantry to help Save The Alma

Rotherham Council says that it is committed to working with the private sector to help keep a project going that would create a live music venue in Rotherham town centre and help save a historic building.

Rothbiz revealed last month that feasibility issues have arisen with converting the former Alma Tavern into a venue.

With £4.5m of the government's Town Deal funding set aside for a music venue project, the Westgate site is the third building looked at by the authority.

The building is not a listed building (unlike The Cutler's Arms next door, saved and reopened by Chantry Brewery) but is in severe disrepair following a fire and years of abandonment. Councillors were told that an updated cost plan for the project demonstrated "a cost significantly in excess of the funding available."

The issue was recently discussed as the council's cabinet agreed to approve the reallocation of funding from the music venue project to progress plans for a community hub for health provision in the former Boots building in the town centre. The funding would cover estimated costs of £1.7m.

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Simon Moss, Assistant Director, Planning, Regeneration and Transport at Rotherham Council, explained to councillors: "We think a music venue would be beneficial but it has been problematic. We've looked at a number of buildings since the funding came forward a few years ago and there are challenges with bringing back old buildings into use.

"It has been through a few iterations and has been challenging but we still believe it is a valuable thing to push for in the town centre.

"We are looking at The Alma, which is next to The Cutler's, and there is already a music operation there - relatively small, but successful. We are planning to build some housing around that site, so dealing with that issue is something that we think is worthwhile as well, trying to work with the current operator to protect the continuation of music at that venue.

"The proposal is to downsize some of the proposals at that site. When we've worked through the design process, we don't think it is affordable, so we are looking at still keeping some funding allocated to that project but more around remediating the site, protecting what's there, but actually looking at what we can do to bring forward a music venue through other delivery means."

It is expected that support from the private sector is required if the project is to be realised. The initial ideas involved an L-shaped new building on land behind, and to the side of The Alma, creating a venue with a capacity of 500 - 600 and the main entrance in the vacant pub,

Moss added: "There are challenges that the public sector faces in delivering end-to-end regeneration solutions - we need that confidence and consideration of risk with funds. And the private sector, of course, can sometimes play a different type of role in bringing things forward."

In 2023 Rotherham Council acquired all land and properties owned by Satnam Urban Regeneration Ltd in the Sheffield Road area which included the 200 space Westgate Car Park and the two pubs.

Lorna Vertigan, head of regeneration at RiDO, said: "It's a complex building [The Alma}. It's not in a good condition and what we are trying to bring is also quite a complex build in terms of its power supply and its M&E [mechanical and electrical] requirements etc. and we were just finding that costs at each stage of development were going up and up and up and it just felt like it had come to a point really where "the public sector can't do this on their own" they need private interventions and that is something that we are going to need more and more over time. The nature of the provision also leans it more towards the private sector.

"It is really important to point out that we are still really committed to it [a live music venue] and really do want to support something. They are our buildings so if nothing else, we have got a duty to do something in there. In the next phase, we will still have money allocated to it and we are looking at what remedial works we can bring forward to help the private sector and what a private sector "acquisition / disposal / I don't know yet." might look like.

"We are certainly not turning our back on it but I think we have to draw a line at some point."

The 1907 rebuilding of The Cutler's was part of a general rebuilding in Westgate to provide a broader highway into the town to relieve traffic congestion. The Alma was rebuilt in 1909 and is noteworthy for the use of architectural lettering and the reference to Bentleys Rotherham Ales on the facade.

Chantry Brewery was established in Parkgate in 2012 and reopened The Cutler's in 2014 following a restoration, inside and out. Live music has been a constant at the venue with a temporary outdoor marquee almost always at the rear.

Vertigan described Chantry as "a great asset to the town centre" and added: "We have worked really closely with Chantry Brewery over this last six months to a year or so and I think that one of the primary drivers is, I think, to make sure that they are sustainable in the long term.

"It is a successful and very popular venue so we are thinking of them more as the operator. The original plans that we looked at for The Alma surrounded the back and incorporated both properties. We are still talking to them about what they might like to do.

"I know it is a bit of a dream for them to have The Alma as well and we still want to really help support them."

Chantry Brewery website

Images: Google Maps / RMBC

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News: South Yorkshire shunted into sidelines as MML electrification paused again

Sheffield is set to remain the largest city in the UK without electrified railways after the Government announced a pause of the electrification of the Midland Mainline (MML) in the North and Midlands.

The key route connects London St Pancras and Sheffield via the East Midlands. Working north, Network Rail had previously envisaged reaching Sheffield at the end of 2020 but work was paused at Kettering and effectively cancelled when plans were announced for new bi-mode intercity trains that are able to run on both electrified and non-electrified lines.

Work reportedly continued on the plans but DfT documents relating to the recent spending review show that the off-and-on project has been paused again.

The previous government's Network North document proposed an extension of the electrification of the MML from Sheffield to Doncaster and Leeds (potentially through Rotherham and its planned new station). Electrification to Sheffield was included in the proposition set out in Lord Blunkett's Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail.

Progress on the MML is in contrast to the upgrade of the East Coast Mainline (ECML) that links Doncaster and London which completed in 2020 and paved the way for the introduction of new trains, such as LNER’s Azuma and Hull Trains’ Paragon fleets.

Government documents confirm: "The next phase of electrification [phase 3 to Sheffield] of the Midland Main Line has been paused. Due to rising costs and the substantial electrification that has already been delivered, we are prioritising our funding on other schemes over the Spending Review period. We will continue to keep the potential for full electrification of the route under review as part of our plans to decarbonise our railways and as funding becomes available in future."

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combimned Authority says that it means that Sheffield will be relying instead on older, more polluting diesel trains that are slower, less reliable, and worse for the environment.

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South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “There’s frustration in the region. After decades of national underinvestment in our transport network, we’re having to wait longer for vital rail improvements that would create jobs, opportunities and economic growth. It feels like one step forward and two steps back.

“We were told HS2 would come to Sheffield. That was cancelled. Now electrification of Midland Main Line is being paused. All we’re asking for is a fair deal.

“I’ve raised my concerns directly with the government, and I’ll keep doing so. South Yorkshire deserves a modern, reliable, and sustainable transport network - and I won’t stop fighting for it.”

The region previously missed out when HS2 to Sheffield was one of the first legs to be cancelled which would have reduced the journey time from Sheffield to London from 120 minutes to 87 minutes, with additional seating capacity on brand new electric trains through electrification of MML.

In the wake of the scaling back of HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) Rothbiz has previously highlighted some alternative routes and the options most likely to serve Rotherham being an upgrade of the Erewash Valley line and the "Old Road" between Clay Cross Junction and Masborough Junction. An upgrade and electrification of the route north of Sheffield to Leeds has also been looked at, as has a new high speed line between broadly Rotherham and Leeds, known as the "M18 Short Alignment" that would connect to the northern leg of the previous HS2 Eastern leg into Leeds.

The 2025 Spending Review set departmental budgets for day‑to‑day spending until 2028‑29, and until 2029‑30 for capital investment. Whilst committing £92 billion to the DfT, and agreeing more than 50 road and rail upgrades, very little will impact South Yorkshire directly.

Images: Google Maps

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