KEY schemes to improve Barnsley commuters’ experiences of local rail travel including plans to increase services, build a new station and create a long-awaited direct link to London are set to be signed off.

The town’s new rail strategy will be approved on Wednesday following a study which aimed to put forward solutions to issues experienced by train users.

According to the report, a doubling of services from one to two per hour has been recommended, but plans to secure a direct train from Barnsley Interchange to the capital city have been identified as an integral part of the strategy.

A council report said the frequency of services on the Hallam, Dearne Valley and Penistone Lines need to be increased.

‘However, ‘significant bottlenecks’ on South Yorkshire’s rail network need to be relieved before elements of the strategy can be delivered and, while these are currently being investigated, there is no timescale or commitment to fund the improvements, the report said.

“It is also cognisant of the fact that for many residents of the borough, heading to stations to Wakefield Westgate, Leeds, Doncaster and Meadowhall is a genuine option for accessing longer distance, inter-regional services,” it added.

“Whilst Barnsley has a strong desire to improve direct rail connectivity to London, there will be destinations for which the strengthening of links is a more effective solution.

“A list of interventions and specific projects has been assembled in the strategy.

“This was collated from the council’s existing priority projects, those projects in Network Rail’s plans and those proposed by borough and district councils.

“The council will strive to be a leader in local rail scheme delivery and is committed to delivering a rail network that meets our challenges, helps with our economic growth and works for all of our travelling public, making Barnsley a real place of possibilities.

“Our original rail vision was published in 2018 and it defined the council’s priorities and set out our strategic thinking on rail and was used by the council to positively respond to government consultations.

“The council’s rail strategy is therefore crucial to supporting sustainable growth by agreeing investment priorities for the longer term.

“With the government’s rail reform proposals, it is essential that the council can clearly articulate and evidence to government and the rail industries its priorities for rail.”

Plans to electrify the lines in order to accommodate faster and more frequent, reliable services have been mooted, although the reopening of a branch line which skirts Royston and currently sees a once-daily freight route to Monk Bretton were deemed unviable due to the cost.

To improve trains’ punctuality and reliability, it was revealed that operator Northern developed a business case for replacing its older trains and, should it proceed successfully through the business case pathway, it is expected that the new fleet would be rolled out between 2029 and 2032.

Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet member environment and transport, said: “The strategy meet the needs of all who live in, work in and visit the Barnsley borough.

“For all stations within Barnsley Darton excepted Sheffield is the primary destination.

“Barnsley Interchange has a strong flow to Leeds, most likely reflecting the success of the introduction of the semi-fast services by Northern.

“The updated strategy sets out Barnsley Council’s ambitious aspirations to transform how we travel, to enable and encourage more sustainable travel and deliver this in a more integrated way than has been previously possible.

“The also sets out our ambition for rail, looking forward, supporting economic growth, providing access to jobs, leisure and tourism and offers opportunities for those choosing to travel in a way that reduces their impact on climate change or for people who do not have access to a car.

“It hopefully addresses some of our more localised connectivity challenges and opportunities, the most significant for the borough being the reinstatement of the Barnsley to London train and improvements to the Penistone Line.

“Rail stations need to become an integral part of the local community, accessible to all, especially by those walking, cycling or travelling to and from the station by bus.

“We will continue to stand up for our residents and commuters, while warmly welcoming visitors to our borough and supporting a revival of that visitor economy.

“Rail has always played a key role in the transport network in Barnsley, so it is essential that rail continues to do so throughout the 2020s and beyond, ensuring the very best service to meet the needs of all who live in, work in and visit the Barnsley borough.”