As hoped for, Don Valley Railway, are delighted to hear the good news that funding has been allocated by the Government to develop a full Business Case to bring passenger trains to Stocksbridge.
The group has campaigned since 2004 to enable an existing line to be used for passenger services, and the news that a full study is being progressed is the culmination of the efforts by all its members and supporters.
Proposals would see the line running into a re-opened Sheffield Victoria Station along with possible new stations at Deepcar. Oughtibridge, Wadsley Bridge, and possibly even Kelham Island.
The Department for Transport launched its £500 million Restoring Your Railway Fund back in late 2019. Along with other MPs, local councils and community groups across the country Miriam Cates (MP for Stocksbridge and Penistone), sponsored the bid which is widely supported across the area.
A successful bid will be a game changer for accessibility in the Upper Don Valley. Reducing journey times from Stocksbridge significantly.
At recent consultation sessions in Stocksbridge for the Towns Fund proposals, which has representation from the Don Valley Railway on its board, the opening of the line was a hot topic for discussion. The funding for the business case development is separate but supported by the aims of the Towns Fund Board to promote better connectivity for the town.
A possible outcome could see rail services going beyond Sheffield too. Last year similar funding was granted for services on the Barrow Hill Line to Chesterfield with stops at Darnall, Advanced Manufacturing Park, Woodhouse and other new stations. This may also utilise the currently redundant Victoria Station running services into the other (eastern) end. It may make it possible to run cross-city services from the Upper Don Valley across to the eastern side of Sheffield and on to Chesterfield or Worksop.
Chris Bell, head campaigner for Don Valley Railway, said: “This may only be the start of several huge steps we need to go before trains will start to operate on the line, but it represents a huge step in the right direction for our cause”.
Notes
1, Don Valley Railway aims to introduce passenger services between Stocksbridge/Deepcar and central Sheffield using the currently freight-only railway line between and serving Liberty Steelworks in Stocksbridge from Woodburn Junction in Sheffield with the future aspiration of extending this service along the route of the Woodhead Rail line from the Junction at Deepcar.
2, An engineering feasibility study find that the Don Valley Railway has the potential for operating a reliable commuter rail service along the route between Sheffield and Stocksbridge which it is hoped will contribute to creating a business case for the re-opening of passenger services on the rail link. Further study work has been undertaken more recently by Sheffield City Region (Now SYMCA)
3, Two Bids were submitted by Sheffield City Region (Now SYMCA) for the project which in March 2020 and March 2021.
4, Further Enquiries can be addressed to Chris Bell at chris153@btinternet.com
Tel 07986 759259.
Residents in Stocksbridge will be able to have their say about the next stage in the £24.1 million Town’s Fund investment - in a series of consultation sessions being held in the area this month.
The consultation roadshow will focus on the ten projects outlined in the Towns Fund bid which was approved by the Government in the March budget to go through to the next stage in the bid process.
Work is now underway on the business case for the projects and members of the public will be given the opportunity to find out more and speak to the Towns Fund team at the open sessions throughout October.
Sessions will be held at four locations in the town:
The Town Investment Plan will deliver a range of projects across the town, aimed at transforming the fortunes of Stocksbridge and helping to build a sustainable future for residents and businesses.
The key issues facing the town were highlighted in the first phase of local consultation in October last year including the need to improve local facilities, job opportunities and connectivity as well as the regeneration of the Manchester Road area.
The Towns Fund projects include:
The Towns Fund Board is made up of stakeholders and business representatives and local volunteers, as well as officers from Sheffield City Council and Deputy Leader Cllr Julie Grocutt, representing both Sheffield City Council and Stocksbridge Town Council.
Co-chair of the Towns Fund Board Miriam Cates MP said: “A great deal has been achieved since our ambitious bid for Stocksbridge was approved to go through to this next stage in March this year. We are now looking forward to holding public sessions throughout October with more details about the projects which make up our Town Deal, and preparing the detailed business case so we can start on the important job of delivering this investment and major improvements for our town.”
Deputy leader of Sheffield City Council and Towns Fund Board member Cllr Julie Grocutt said: “We know there is a great deal of interest and enthusiasm in the town for what the Town Deal means for Stocksbridge and we’re looking forward to being about to share more information and giving everyone a chance to have their say.”
For more information contact Amanda Holmes on Amanda.holmes@sheffield.gov.co.uk or 07747 621902.
You can also visit the Stocksbridge Towns Fund website at www.welcometostocksbridge.co.uk and follow Stocksbridge Town Deal on facebook and @TownDeal4Stocks on twitter.
ABOUT THE TOWNS FUND
On 27 July 2019, the Prime Minister announced that the Towns Fund would support an initial 101 places across England to develop Town Deal proposals, to drive economic regeneration and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth. See further details of the announcement. PM speech at Manchester Science and Industry Museum - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
A Town Deal is an agreement in principle between government, the Lead Council and the Town Deal Board. It will set out a vision and strategy for the town, and what each party agrees to do to achieve this vision. See the 101 places being supported to develop Town Deals. list-of-100-places.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Each of the 101 towns selected to work towards a Town Deal also received accelerated funding last year for investment in capital projects that would have an immediate impact and help places “build back better” in the wake of Covid-19. View a list of accelerated funding by place towns-fund-accelerated-funding-grants.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)