Multi-million pound rail station redevelopment plans revealed

Plans for the £7m Doncaster station redevelopment have been revealed today.

Doncaster Council secured £7m of Sheffield City Region funding to transform the station.

The redevelopment of the station forecourt is being carried out in partnership with Virgin Trains and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.

Plans include moving the car park to the old Royal Mail Sorting Office site. Virgin Trains, which manages the station, plans to invest £500,000 to create a contemporary glass canopy on the front of the station building.

Councillor Bill Mordue, cabinet member for Business, Skills and Economic Development, said: “The plans we have revealed for the new station forecourt are really exciting. We have worked hard to develop these with our partners, ensuring that we take into account all users of the station. It is now time to let the residents of Doncaster have their say and input.

“We need to ensure that we get this development right because for many visitors to Doncaster, the station is the first impression they get of the town centre. This needs to be a friendly and welcoming area that residents and visitors want to come back to again and again.”

Tim Hedley-Jones, major projects director for Virgin Trains on its east coast route, said: “Like Doncaster Rovers, which has recently announced Virgin Trains as its shirt sponsor for the next two years, we believe the town is going places, and we’re really pleased to work with the council to transform the forecourt of the station.

“This is an important gateway to the town, and the canopy and improvements to the forecourt could significantly enhance our customers’ experience and improve visitors’ first and last impressions of Doncaster.”

Sir Nigel Knowles, chairman of the Sheffield City Region’s business leaders, the Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This is a great development at a great time for the region. It’s exactly the right sort of move forward for our ‘let’s get it done’ work ethic – harnessing drive and ambition.”

Residents, businesses and visitors to Doncaster are being asked for their views on the plans to transform the area immediately outside of the train station. A number of engagement events are being held across the town centre on Friday 14 July at Frenchgate Centre from 9am to 5pm and Tuesday 18 July at Doncaster train station forecourt from 7am to 10am and 3pm to 6pm.