Latest news with #OliverCoppard
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New Rotherham park and ride site opens
A new park and ride site for tram train passengers has opened next to Rotherham's Parkgate Shopping Centre. The free 289-space car park is part of a £12.9m project to improve transport connections across South Yorkshire. Money for the site, which includes 14 EV chargers, cycle racks, disabled access spaces, and parking for solo motorcycles, has come from the government's £166m Transforming Cities Fund. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: "The new Park and Ride is a real win for Rotherham – it's about making everyday journeys easier, greener and more accessible for local people. "Whether you're hopping on the Tram Train, cycling to the shops, or charging an EV, this investment helps us cut congestion, reduce emissions, and build a better-connected future for our town," he added. The money was also used to build a new link road to make it easier for people to reach the shopping park and reduce traffic congestion on the A633 and A6123. South Yorkshire's Mayor Oliver Coppard said: "South Yorkshire deserves nothing less than a world-class public transport network so our communities can access the jobs and opportunities they deserve; and that we can all stay near and go far." Mark Kanaris, senior operations manager for Parkgate Shopping Park, added: "This investment will have a daily impact, benefitting the hundreds of people who work here and the thousands of visitors who enjoy our big name stores and restaurants each week." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council South Yorkshire gets £1.5bn travel funding boost New railway station given updated opening date Plan to cut bus journey times and improve services
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New Rotherham park and ride site opens
A new park and ride site for tram train passengers has opened next to Rotherham's Parkgate Shopping Centre. The free 289-space car park is part of a £12.9m project to improve transport connections across South Yorkshire. Money for the site, which includes 14 EV chargers, cycle racks, disabled access spaces, and parking for solo motorcycles, has come from the government's £166m Transforming Cities Fund. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: "The new Park and Ride is a real win for Rotherham – it's about making everyday journeys easier, greener and more accessible for local people. "Whether you're hopping on the Tram Train, cycling to the shops, or charging an EV, this investment helps us cut congestion, reduce emissions, and build a better-connected future for our town," he added. The money was also used to build a new link road to make it easier for people to reach the shopping park and reduce traffic congestion on the A633 and A6123. South Yorkshire's Mayor Oliver Coppard said: "South Yorkshire deserves nothing less than a world-class public transport network so our communities can access the jobs and opportunities they deserve; and that we can all stay near and go far." Mark Kanaris, senior operations manager for Parkgate Shopping Park, added: "This investment will have a daily impact, benefitting the hundreds of people who work here and the thousands of visitors who enjoy our big name stores and restaurants each week." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council South Yorkshire gets £1.5bn travel funding boost New railway station given updated opening date Plan to cut bus journey times and improve services
BBC News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
New Rotherham park and ride site opens
A new park and ride site for tram train passengers has opened next to Rotherham's Parkgate Shopping free 289-space car park is part of a £12.9m project to improve transport connections across South for the site, which includes 14 EV chargers, cycle racks, disabled access spaces, and parking for solo motorcycles, has come from the government's £166m Transforming Cities Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: "The new Park and Ride is a real win for Rotherham – it's about making everyday journeys easier, greener and more accessible for local people. "Whether you're hopping on the Tram Train, cycling to the shops, or charging an EV, this investment helps us cut congestion, reduce emissions, and build a better-connected future for our town," he money was also used to build a new link road to make it easier for people to reach the shopping park and reduce traffic congestion on the A633 and A6123. South Yorkshire's Mayor Oliver Coppard said: "South Yorkshire deserves nothing less than a world-class public transport network so our communities can access the jobs and opportunities they deserve; and that we can all stay near and go far."Mark Kanaris, senior operations manager for Parkgate Shopping Park, added: "This investment will have a daily impact, benefitting the hundreds of people who work here and the thousands of visitors who enjoy our big name stores and restaurants each week." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Yorkshire businesses plea for government to back rail review
Businesses and industry groups from across Yorkshire have called on the government to commit to funding a £14bn plan for improved rail services in the Home Secretary Lord Blunkett's report, named Yorkshire's Plan for Rail, was published in May and called for an end to "creaking Victorian-era railways".An open letter was published earlier from firms and figures which asked Chancellor Rachel Reeves to prioritise rail spending in Yorkshire as a "down-payment on improving economic growth".The Department for Transport (DfT) said reliable and affordable public transport links were "essential for supporting jobs and driving economic growth". Those who signed the letter include universities, technology businesses, manufacturers, arts groups and newly promoted Leeds United as well as regional chambers of group, under the name the White Rose Partnership, "united to show their support for improving transport connectivity in a region that has been under invested in for decades", Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Yorkshire's elected mayor, Oliver Coppard, said while the multibillion-pound investment called for was a "challenge", it was also a necessary ambition."Being able to travel to, from and within Yorkshire is not an optional extra," he said. Lord Blunkett's rail review was commissioned by Yorkshire's three regional Labour mayors Tracy Brabin, Mr Coppard and David Skaith ahead of the government's Spending Review later this month which will see budgets set and priorities review called for increased capacity at Leeds, Sheffield and York stations, as well as a new station for Bradford connected to the main trans-Pennine line.A new mainline station for Rotherham along with electrification of the line between Sheffield and Leeds was also North Yorkshire, additional trains to Scarborough and Whitby were cited as a priority with a similar ask for the Penistone Line in South Yorkshire and around Wakefield's Five Towns in West open letter said the plans were "not just about growing Yorkshire's economy, but about enabling our region to play its full part in the UK's".It outlined some of the plans in Lord Blunkett's review and added: "We know improving rail infrastructure requires significant funding, but we strongly believe that by prioritising investment in Yorkshire's rail network in the Spending Review will be a down-payment on improving economic growth and helping businesses and people to thrive." Tariq Shah OBE, co-chair of South Yorkshire Business Advisory Board and CEO of Vigo Group, said rail connectivity was "a vital step" in driving growth and improving access to jobs, education and innovation."This is not just a transport investment, it's a statement of ambition for our place," he Routh, executive director of Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre, said there was only one train an hour between York and Scarborough."We have audience members leaving before the end of a show so they don't miss their train," she explained."That potential hour wait is not going to encourage anyone to visit, or to come back."Ms Routh added that 80% of the theatre's audiences travelled by car because there was no viable alternative.A spokesperson for the DfT said it was already investing in the North and delivering transformational projects across the region, such as the multibillion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade, plus "maintaining momentum on Northern Powerhouse Rail".It said it would continue to work with local leaders to improve rail connectivity. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Major £14bn plan to fix 'broken' rail system in English region: Two new stations, capacity upgrades and electrification to speed up journeys
A major £14billion plan to fix Yorkshire's 'broken' rail system' was unveiled today, including building two new stations and increasing capacity at three hubs. Former home secretary Lord Blunkett said the proposal 'presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' improve connectivity and unlock economic growth in the region. The Labour peer has published an infrastructure plan which recommends building a new through-station for Bradford and a mainline station at Rotherham. The report also outlines the need for increasing capacity at Leeds, Sheffield and York stations, as well as upgrades and electrification between Leeds and Sheffield. Increasing the frequency of services for places including Scarborough, the Esk Valley, Penistone Line and Wakefield district's Five Towns is also part of the proposal. The plan launched with the metro mayors of West, South and North Yorkshire calls on the Government to deliver on its promises to back transport in northern England. Sheffield-born Lord Blunkett, who was home secretary from 2001 to 2004, said Yorkshire's Plan for Rail would deliver a huge boost to jobs, growth and new housing. He is launching the plan in Leeds today alongside West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, and York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith, who signed the White Rose Agreement earlier this year to work together. York station (pictured) would also get a capacity upgrade as part of Lord Blunkett's plans Lord Blunkett said: 'Yorkshire has been punching under its weight for far too long, and with the White Rose Agreement and this infrastructure plan, the three mayors are determined to reverse this historic trend. 'It's been a pleasure to be asked to pull together this credible and affordable plan, which presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve rail connectivity and unlock economic growth and opportunities for all. 'By taking action now, the benefits of releasing capacity, speeding up journeys, improving reliability and running more frequent services will be felt not just here, but across the North, Midlands and beyond. It's time to back Yorkshire.' Lord Blunkett's review outlines how a 'creaking Victorian-era infrastructure' is holding back a region of 4.6million people, with poor and unreliable services regularly failing to meet the needs of passengers and businesses. It sets out a need for substantial investment as part of the Government's proposed 10-year infrastructure plan and spending review later this year, with £2.4billion required between now and 2030, and approximately £14billion in total. The report said targeted rail investment has the potential to add £20billion to the region's economy and could help generate an extra 83,000 jobs. Mayor of West Yorkshire Ms Brabin said: 'A lack of investment stretching back decades has left Yorkshire with a rail network no longer fit for purpose. 'This is holding back ambitious growth plans for our regions which will put more money in people's pockets. 'We owe it to everyone, especially younger generations, to secure our fair share of funding so the region's train services are suitable for the modern age, getting passengers to where they need to go, when they want to go.' The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire Mr Skaith said: 'Working together, we can drive real change and boost opportunities across our region. 'This is a credible, long-term plan to deliver the connectivity our communities need - creating better access to jobs, education and investment.' And South Yorkshire's Mayor Mr Coppard said: 'David Blunkett has, for the first time, made clear the problems created by decades of under-investment across the whole of Yorkshire and given us a plan for fixing them, working together across the whole of God's Own Country.' He added: 'Ultimately, we simply want reliable, effective rail services, so we can get to work, see friends and family or just go for a night out. 'Through this plan, there is a pathway with a phased approach to fix our broken rail system.' The Department for Transport said it will consider Lord Blunkett's recommendations carefully, stressing that it is committed to improving transport across the North. A spokesman said: 'Reliable and affordable public transport links are essential for supporting jobs and driving economic growth, key to our Plan for Change, and making travelling quicker, easier, and greener. 'We are investing in the North and delivering transformational projects across the region, such as the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade, and we're maintaining momentum on Northern Powerhouse Rail by progressing planning and design works to support future delivery. 'We will continue to work with local leaders to improve rail connectivity.' It said it has asked Network Rail to maintain development work for updates at Leeds, Sheffield, and Bradford, and is supporting West Yorkshire's mass transit plans by providing £200million development funding. The department also said it had prioritised funding to develop plans for a new Rotherham Mainline station and to renew the Supertram network, connecting Sheffield and Rotherham. And it said that, under Great British Railways, there will be a statutory role for devolved leaders in governing, managing, planning and developing the rail network. The announcement comes two days after a new railway line between Liverpool and Manchester that would 'punch well above its weight' was proposed by regional leaders in the North West. Mayors Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham, alongside former rail minister Huw Merriman, are urging the Government to support the plans. A report outlining the case for the new Liverpool-Manchester Railway states it would cut journey times between the city centres to 32 minutes, compared with an average of 49 minutes currently. It would also bring more than half a million more people within 30 minutes of the destinations. The line would run from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Piccadilly, with stops at a new Liverpool Gateway station, Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Airport.
