A LANDMARK bid to significantly improve a railway line to boost frequency and cut journey times has been put at the top of an MP’s agenda after a series of cancellations during back-to-school week showed how ‘essential’ it is.
The route, which starts at Barnsley Interchange and makes its way through Dodworth, Silkstone Common and Penistone stations on its way to Huddersfield, has already secured government cash.
Marie Tidball, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, met with Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, to champion the Penistone Line’s upgrade and discussed its delivery.
The line currently faces capacity constraints and reliability issues due to its single-track sections.
Currently, only one train per hour runs and the average journey time is about an hour and 15 minutes from end to end.
The local MP also discussed the need to introduce two trains per hour.
Marie said: “During the first week young people started back to school this September, numerous trains along the Penistone Line were cancelled, leaving children unable to get to school on their usual route.
“This is unacceptable delivering the upgrade to the Penistone Line is one of my top priorities as MP.
“This project is so important for connectivity across South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.
“I know our Transport Secretary is absolutely committed to delivering phase one of the project and I will continue working with her so that everyone across our communities connected by this route feels the benefit.”
The government confirmed £48m in funding for the upgrade scheme in the autumn budget last year.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard has also backed the plans.
He added: “I’ve repeatedly said that significant investment is needed in our rail network.
“Connecting our communities across Yorkshire and the north is not an optional extra; It’s crucial for us to be able to harness economic opportunities, drive growth and give everyone here chance to stay near and go far.
“Together we can tackle the transport challenges that have held us back, bring in the investment that will amplify our huge ambition, and create more good jobs in the industries of the future, so that we have the world class transport network that Yorkshire deserves.
“We have shown that connecting communities across Yorkshire and the north creates huge benefits, connecting people to opportunity, creating huge amounts of growth and giving everyone the opportunity to stay near and go far.( “So I’m really pleased the government have now confirmed this package of financial support for the Penistone Line upgrade is still available.
“We’re committed to working with the government and our partners across South and West Yorkshire to deliver this upgrade to the line, but to also tackle the broader transport challenges which have held us back for far too long.”
