Petition to have a railway link to Sheffield

Northern Rail have supported the petition to re-open the
railway line

By Altine Bootha-King.

Residents in Stocksbridge have launched a petition to re-open a railway linking Stocksbridge to Sheffield.

Resident Charles Feeley, who has signed the petition says that the benefits of having a passenger line is crucial to the development of Stocksbridge:

“With a population of 18,000 and poorly served roads, the congestion in the area will increase, especially with the new housing and retail developments. The flood damage to these roads in recent years have made travel to and from the city a dreadful experience.”

The railway line, which is currently just being used for freight, was originally used a passenger line before it was closed in July 1981.

In order to restore the public line, it is estimated that £4.5 million will be needed, which will be used to upgrade the tracks and build a new station with a platform.

Paul Denton, who is part of the Don Valley Railway group and leader of the petition, has gained support from Northern Rail and Sheffield City Council:

“Train operating companies are looking to expand their services. If they were to operate on the line, they would generate up to £1 million per annum. Alongside this, Sheffield will have another route for the public to get into the city and reduce the amount of commuter cars in and out of the city.”

A public meeting is to be held at the end of March in Mapplewell, Barnsley, to discuss the plans and potential of the line.