New proposal to create 33,000 jobs submitted
The Department of Transport (DfT) has received formal proposals for a major Yorkshire rail scheme that would have a transformational economic and environmental impact on the region
The Sheffield City Region, Doncaster Council and the Peel Group have submitted an outline business case to the Government for a new national and regional rail connection to Doncaster Sheffield Airport, creating jobs and reducing carbon emissions
The proposed GatewayEast Growth Hub Rail scheme, requires just 4.5 miles of new track allowing high speed electrified rail connectivity to the UK’s fastest growing airport.
In addition to creating an airport with potential to expand, the scheme would also alleviate congestion on the East Coast Mainline (ECML), reduce car journeys and remove more than 23,000 tonnes of CO2 from the UK’s road network.
According to proposals submitted it would deliver 33,000 jobs in the North within the next ten years, 10,000 of which would be within five years.
The plans will quadruple the number of people with airport access via a sustainable transport mode from 2.4 million to 9 million within a 90-minute rail journey.
The business case is seeking the project’s inclusion in the DfT’s Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline. This is a critical step in getting the project funded. With the project aiming to be delivered and operational by 2025.
Dan Jarvis MBE MP Mayor of the Sheffield City Region said: “I am pleased that this critically important scheme has reached another key milestone with the submission to Government. The benefits to communities and businesses through connecting the country’s fastest growing regional airport to the national and regional rail network are huge. We have to make sure that we get people off our roads and onto sustainable public transport. This investment would help make that a reality.”
Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “We have an exceptional record of delivering major infrastructure schemes on time and in budget that boost the economy and see real growth. This GatewayEast Growth Hub Rail scheme is ‘oven ready’ and demonstrates how Doncaster can deliver the North’s essential economic growth ambitions.”
Robert Hough CBE, Chairman of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA), said: “An East Coast Mainline station situated at DSA demonstrates exceptional value for money for the tax-payer with a 22:1 return on its £300m investment. Furthermore, this would be a strong signal to the North of the Government’s promise in levelling up. The return on investment from this scheme is greater than the forecast benefits of the entire Eastern leg of HS2 but delivering years in advance and fully complementary. It is essentially ‘shovel-ready’ and deliverable within five years.”
Nick Fletcher MP said “Doncaster Sheffield Airport is a fantastic asset to Don Valley and its potential should be fully realised to create jobs, housing and new opportunities. This would be very much welcomed in an area that has been left behind for too long. I fully support this project and am working hard here in Don Valley and Westminster with all stakeholders to make this happen.”
The GatewayEast Growth Hub Rail scheme would provide a new rail connection to the East Coast Mainline (ECML) and the Lincoln line, with a new rail station to be located at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Acting as a powerful catalyst for growth across the entire Sheffield City Region, North Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
The plan delivers strongly against Government’s Northern Powerhouse ambitions, Transport for the North’s Strategic Transport Plan, as well as the DfT’s Transport Investment Strategy: Moving Britain Ahead, its priorities for rail and the business case itself is strongly aligned with the DfT’s Rebalancing Toolkit.
In the long-term, the scheme could unlock 53,000 jobs and increase the region’s GVA contribution by 5% (£1.7 billion per annum)
