LONG-MOOTED plans for a park-and-ride facility have taken a step closer after a contract was awarded to a railway firm to progress the scheme.
The facility, at Penistone station, will cost in the region of £7.5m to deliver and will deliver 100 car parking spaces and a new pedestrian footbridge with lifts.
The station’s current car park frequently operates at capacity and given plans are in the offing to double the Penistone Line’s capacity which connects Sheffield to Huddersfield via Barnsley the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) backed the park-and-ride plan.
The Chronicle can reveal that SLC Rail were awarded the contract last week, having also been commissioned by Kirklees Council to develop the business case for the Penistone Line’s improvements.
According to documents, a 12-month timeframe for construction has been given.
A SYMCA report said: “The improved accessibility, with a larger car park and increased rail services, will attract new businesses and developments to Penistone.
“Productivity will increase for those travelling to and from Penistone for work as a result of increased access to the station via the proposed car park, as well as increased access to locations further afield with plans in place for two rail services per hour rather than one.
“The improved access to rail services in Penistone will create a modal shift from private car to public transport.
“Additionally, proposals to include facilities for bus services, as well as a covered cycle shelter within the car park, also contribute to another shift from private to public transport, as well as modes of active travel.
“These proposals are key to reducing carbon emissions within Penistone, and potentially in the wider area.
“The improved car parking access and increase in rail services will enable people to travel to key economic hubs for employment, such as Sheffield, Huddersfield and potentially Manchester, and will therefore achieve greater productivity.
“These hubs will also allow people to learn and engage with new skillsets, markets, and supply chains, which will ultimately provide access to higher wage levels through specific job types or progression.
“Greater access to key economic hubs outside of Penistone will enable access to specific education and training courses in order for them to progress in employment such as the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam and the University of Huddersfield.”
The long-awaited park-and-ride, first put forward almost five years ago, has been given cash from SYMCA through the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS).
MP Marie Tidball, who represents Penistone and Stocksbridge, said: “I listen to constituents across our communities who tell me how important the Penistone Line is to reaching work, education, healthcare and to see family and friends.
“The services are currently unreliable, overcrowded and overstretched.
“It was clear how important this project is to improve connectivity right across South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.
“I’ll be continuing to work closely with government and local colleagues to ensure this project delivers the urgent improvements our communities deserve.”
