BARNSLEY will still benefit from a transformative rail plan despite the town not being directly named in proposals, according to council leader Sir Steve Houghton.
The agreement outlines how the government and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) will work together to deliver South Yorkshire’s share of the £45bn Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) investment for the north announced earlier this month.
Local leaders, including Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Marie Tidball and Coun James Higginbottom, met with South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Copard on Thursday to officially sign the deal.
The plan has a number of benefits for South Yorkshire.
There’s ambitions for fast trains a hour between Sheffield and Leeds, improved cross-Pennine links between Sheffield and Manchester and an increased capacity for more direct services.
However, Barnsley is not named in the report and there are no direct improvements for the town.
But Sir Steve says that despite that, the plan will still benefit the borough.
He said: “While the NPR announcement doesn’t directly name Barnsley, it marks a real step forward for our borough and for South Yorkshire.
“Better regional rail links will open up access to jobs, education and opportunity for our residents.”
Mayor Coppard said that South Yorkshire is at the ‘front of the queue’ for the new plans.
He added: “Northern Powerhouse Rail is a massive commitment from the government to the future of South Yorkshire, finally giving us the prospect of better, faster, more reliable connections between here and our neighbours in Leeds and Manchester.
“But it also means we can kick start the work on the further expansion of tour tram network, and make real progress towards the development of Rotherham Station. ( “These are all big steps for all of us who use public transport across the North, particularly here, because South Yorkshire is at the very front of the queue when it comes to delivery.”
Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, described the proposals as long overdue.
She said: “I’ve strengthened this government’s clear and unwavering commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail by signing an agreement with Mayor Coppard on the next steps for transforming connectivity in South Yorkshire.
“By providing early clarity on scope and phasing, we are giving South Yorkshire the certainty it needs to plan ahead and unlock the full economic and social benefits for its people.
“We will deliver more frequent, reliable services to Leeds, and expand capacity at Sheffield station - helping support thousands of new homes and jobs.
“Together, we are getting on with the job to deliver the modern transport network the north has deserved for so long.”
