06/08/2022
AIRPORT RAIL LINK APPROVED!!
The Department for Transport have approved the rail link to Doncaster Sheffield Airport. This is great news. The summary is :
“A train station at Doncaster Sheffield Airport will be built and connected to the East Coast Main Line (ECML) as part of the wider Gateway East development. It will feature 100m-long platforms with passive provision for extension to 150m. This scheme is expected to start in 2024 and will be retained by the DfT.”
Source: https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/394-schemes-to-benefit-from-5-7bn-city-transport-fund-02-08-2022/
There are certain clauses however which means that the funding can be withdrawn and obviously closure of the airport could well mean the loss of the rail link. See the detailed 4 page letter to Oliver Coppard from Grant Shapps in respect of all schemes proposed for South Yorkshire (link below):
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1095632/Grant_Shapps_-_Oliver_Coppard_SYMCA_CRSTS_Delivery_Plan_redacted_accessible.pdf
I have been campaigning as the MP for Doncaster Sheffield Airport for this rail link now for a long time and that hard work both in and out of Parliament since my election in December 2019 has paid off.
We now have yet another strong reason why the Airport will be successful and why Mayor Oliver Coppard of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority should do whatever it takes to keep our airport open.
https://www.change.org/p/save-doncaster-sheffield-airport-savedoncasterairport?fbclid=IwAR1NWQJydXDsr_SwfboVslZJFkcfaUUGjaISEcexgAhgnImwsON1YIfEvwM
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