THE second phase of a multi-million pound scheme to boost rail connectivity on a key route must be prioritised in the government’s next spending review, according to a local MP.
Marie Tidball, who represents Penistone and Stocksbridge, spoke out in Parliament about the Penistone Line’s upgrade and said the formation of Great British Railways - which is making its way through the House of Commons - will bring the running of passenger trains and infrastructure under one umbrella body.
Great British Railways will run and manage the tracks and trains used by passengers every day, by creating a simpler, more unified railway to deliver reliable, safe, and better value journeys for passengers.
This will bring together 17 different organisations to eliminate ‘unnecessary bureaucracy and duplication’.
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.
During the debate, she said two trains an hour on the Penistone Line must come in phase two of the scheme.
Marie said: “Our Labour government have already begun to power that change with our £48m investment in phase one for the Penistone Line upgrade scheme.
“Phase one will bring more double track and passing loops, making trains more reliable and increase line speeds.
“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.”
She told ministers that it is ‘crucial that the second stage is covered in the next spending review to ensure that constituents in Dodworth, Silkstone Common, Penistone, Chapeltown and all the places in between can get to college, university, hospital and employment’.
“The Penistone Line is a vital service that connects us to friends, family, work, education and healthcare, and it’s fantastic to work with local residents and community groups like the Penistone Line Partnership who are such fantastic advocates for our line,” she added.
“We’ve set unprecedented support for our local transport system, including confirming £48m for phase one of the Penistone Line upgrade scheme to increase line speeds and reliability.
“Now, the creation of Great British Railways accelerates our vision for the second phase of the scheme.
“The service currently only runs once an hour - South and West Yorkshire deserve better than this.
“This is personal for me - as a councillor for Dodworth ward, and chair of Barnsley Passenger Transport, my dad got to re-open a newly-refurbished Silkstone Common station.
“Not that I’m competitive or anything, but I want to make sure my legacy is to be ‘two trains an hour Tidball’ for our Penistone Line.
“On top of the phase one changes, I know what an incredible difference this would make to residents living right across our communities.”
