Rail Plans for South Yorkshire

[Jorge Da Silva]

According to the Yorkshire Post

On a more detailed level locally, it proposes better connections from the Wombwell and Darton stations, the reconfiguration of Barnsley railway station to put it closer to the town centre and doubling the currently hourly trains between Barnsley and Huddersfield, with improved parking at Penistone incorporated into that proposal.

Members of Barnsley Council’s ruling Cabinet will be asked to approve the plans when they meet next week and if that is agreed, the document will remain aspirational – with the council conceding some of their objectives will be “challenging” to achieve.

In the town centre, Jumble Lane level crossing will be removed and replaced with a pedestrian bridge in the Spring, with that providing an opportunity “for station reconfiguration nearer Barnsley town centre,” Cabinet members will be told. That would dovetail with faster trains on the Leeds to Sheffield line, which consultants say would “place Barnsley on the inter-city rail network map”.

That will be increasingly important in future as HS2 provides fast services to London from South Yorkshire in future and the new ‘rail vision’ seeks to secure a new Dearne Valley Parkway station to give access to those opportunities. Old and poor quality rolling stock – trains meant as a stopgap when they were introduced many years ago – have been a source of highly vocal complaints in recent years and the report’s authors believe new Class 195 trains would be appropriate for the town’s needs.

There is also a desire to work with community rail partners to reinstate the former North Midland line from Wet Green to Wakefield, which would mean negotiating support from the Department for Transport.

Councillors will hear the list is ambitious and are being told the “list of asks comprises of some realistic and deliverable proposals and a number of strategic but challenging aspirations. “These have been drawn up with an understanding of current constraints including the cost and lead in times for delivering infrastructure and service enhancements on the rail network as well as recognising that the council itself has limited influence.” The document is an update on previous work, from 2015, and takes into account changing circumstances including the HS2 scheme. It also provides details of “articulating our vision to delivery partners”, councillors will hear.

Improved rail links would support strategies aimed at promoting growth in both Barnsley and the wider region.

The Sheffield City Region – which now has Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis as Mayor – has a strategy which supports improved rail access to Doncaster Sheffield airport, which would link into Barnsley Council’s aims.

The authority has also drawn up its own Local Plan, a blueprint covering economic and housing growth into the 2030s, which it expects to adopt as formal policy in the next few months. Improved rail links would benefit both the opportunities for commercial and commuter business.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/our...e-huge-improvements-across-barnsley-1-9456392

Where is the line between Wet Green and Wakefield?

Where could the ‘Dearne Valley Parkway’ be located?

Is it a good idea?

 

[Pigeon]

Where is the line between Wet Green and Wakefield?

Yeah, it would help if they'd spelt it correctly... It's WEST Green, better known as Monk Bretton glass works; they're talking about those parts of the remains of the North Midland route between Wath and Normanton and the spur to Stairfoot which still have track on them to serve the glass works. The mangled remains of the north end of this stretch connect to the Wakefield-Doncaster line.

Hopefully they will also put back the track between Monk Bretton and Stairfoot so you can use it to go to Sheffield as well, and not leave it as one of these crappy spurs that only go one way and have a crappy service...

"Dearne Valley Parkway" currently refers to the A6195 around Bolton-on-Dearne, which runs close to Wombwell station, but I think they're talking about something more than an upgrade of Wombwell; I've seen several statements of aspiration from councils in that area talking about reinstating the North Midland route all the way to Wath, and the name could equally well refer to a reopened Darfield station or something near there.

 

[yorksrob]

A half hourly service to Normanton would be a good realistic and deliverable proposal for the Hallam line.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Deleted

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Yeah, it would help if they'd spelt it correctly... It's WEST Green, better known as Monk Bretton glass works; they're talking about those parts of the remains of the North Midland route between Wath and Normanton and the spur to Stairfoot which still have track on them to serve the glass works. The mangled remains of the north end of this stretch connect to the Wakefield-Doncaster line.

Hopefully they will also put back the track between Monk Bretton and Stairfoot so you can use it to go to Sheffield as well, and not leave it as one of these crappy spurs that only go one way and have a crappy service...

"Dearne Valley Parkway" currently refers to the A6195 around Bolton-on-Dearne, which runs close to Wombwell station, but I think they're talking about something more than an upgrade of Wombwell; I've seen several statements of aspiration from councils in that area talking about reinstating the North Midland route all the way to Wath, and the name could equally well refer to a reopened Darfield station or something near there.

Thanks. Isn't the line through Wath built on with Industry or have I got that wrong.

 

[SoccerHQ]

Barnsley is pretty close to town centre, can't do much about an incline....

Express from Huddersfield would be a good thing to introduce, not sure how feasible to go between the two in half an hour so then it's as quick as changing at Leeds if you're travelling between Huddersfield and Sheffield.

 

[Pigeon]

Thanks. Isn't the line through Wath built on with Industry or have I got that wrong.

The very end of the closed part of the North Midland route that used to go through the middle of Manvers Main has been zapped along with the rest of that site, and has some light industry on it, but there is room to get around that; using the ex-Dearne Valley trackbed between Thurnscoe Junction and Houghton/Grimethorpe might be one possibility.

Wath yard, on the GC route, which isn't what they're on about though, has completely had it, although further west that route is still clear.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

The very end of the closed part of the North Midland route that used to go through the middle of Manvers Main has been zapped along with the rest of that site, and has some light industry on it, but there is room to get around that; using the ex-Dearne Valley trackbed between Thurnscoe Junction and Houghton/Grimethorpe might be one possibility.

Wath yard, on the GC route, which isn't what they're on about though, has completely had it, although further west that route is still clear.

Thanks again! I have read about Watch getting it’s station back. Would be nice if the section between Dore to Sheffield was four tracked and Millhouses and Heeley both got their stations back. I have heard Rotherham could get an NPR station. Either Masborough or Parkgate

 

[Killingworth]

Thanks again! I have read about Watch getting it’s station back. Would be nice if the section between Dore to Sheffield was four tracked.

4 tracking from Dore to Sheffield existed from about 1903 until the 1960s. Plans for HS2 seem to include a third track. Even that will be difficult between the Archer Road bridges thanks to Tesco's having been built across the old track bed.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

New stations in Rotherham and in the Dearne Valley on a proposed "Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR)" line could boost the economic benefits for the Sheffield city region (SCR) from HS2.

Independent economic analysis also highlights the need for improved intra-regional connectivity in order to benefit the most from the £55.7 billion project.

The SCR has been provided with £1.3m in Government funding to study the impacts of the new route and how it can get the most out of HS2. The best scenario in the study is for HS2 stations at Sheffield Midland and Chesterfield and NPR stations at Rotherham and the Dearne Valley.

The Government has been urged to include a HS2 parkway station in the SCR and a Northern loop out of Sheffield Midland, which at present is only set to be served by a spur.

Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) is a rapid, reliable and resilient rail network between the North's six biggest cities and other economic centres. With continued research and analysis, Transport for the North is creating clear, fully-costed proposals for the multi-billion-pound scheme.

Initial findings from the delayed HS2 study include an analysis of including NPR parkway stations at Dearne Valley and Rotherham, which show that the economic benefit to the SCR increases to £1.3 billion over a 60 year appraisal period. Up from the £970m with HS2 stops just at Sheffield and Chesterfield.

The study, by Arup, Cushman & Wakefield and Ekosgen, also looks at wider economic benefits and shows that the two HS2 stations could help boost annual GVA above baseline figures by between £1.3 billion and £2.47 billion. With additional NPR stations, annual GVA could be boosted by £2.7 billion.

In terms of additional jobs, the HS2 stations could add between 11,930 and 23,270 jobs based on low and high growth scenarios. With additional NPR stations, an additional 24,060 could be created.

The research states: "The economic evidence and strategic policy framework point towards two new intermediate NPR stations between Sheffield and Leeds at Rotherham, and the Dearne Towns as having the most transformative economic potential (recognising that Meadowhall can be connected to the HS2 hub at Sheffield through fast, high frequency public transport services).

"These new stations would transform the strategic connectivity of Rotherham and the Dearne Towns, achieving a stem-change in accessibility to the labour markets of Leeds and Sheffield as well as the national network. By doing so they can also provide a catalyst for accelerated regeneration and housing growth in the surrounding areas.

"Proposals for local transport improvements and reviewing planning policies in the context of the new stations would help maximise the benefits, and ensure development complements the role of nearby town centres."

Previous studies have shown that the only practical and cost effective way to enhance rail connectivity to Rotherham is to consider providing a new railway station on the mainline to take advantage of services that currently pass through the borough but do not stop.

Locations for a potential NPR stations for Rotherham or the Dearne have not been named. Best guesses for Rotherham would be on the mainline at the station at Masbrough that closed in 1987, or at Parkgate. "Rotherham Rail Station (Parkway)" is still a project in the SCR's Integrated Transport Block which sets out how to used Government funds and grants for sustainable local transport schemes.


Whilst land values are set to increase, analysis for the SCR shows that no new commercial or residential development is expected around a potential new Rotherham station, in contrast to Sheffield, Chesterfield and the Dearne which would share an additional 2.5 million sq ft of commercial development and 2,800 new residential units are envisaged.

HS2 consultations have designs being developed for a 6.7km long Sheffield Northern spur between Clayton and Thurnscoe which would connect the Dearne Valley Line existing railway to HS2.

As Rothbiz has previously reported, the SCR is developing the idea for a SCR Mass Transit project to enhance intra-regional connectivity. Rotherham features on a number of priority corridors including the Innovation Corridor, the River Don Corridor and the A631 Corridor.

http://www.rothbiz.co.uk/2018/10/news-6002-new-rotherham-station-would.html?m=1

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

4 tracking from Dore to Sheffield existed from about 1903 until the 1960s. Plans for HS2 seem to include a third track. Even that will be difficult between the Archer Road bridges thanks to Tesco's having been built across the old track bed.

I was going to say. I was finding it hard to see how HS2 would fit an extra 4tph on top of the existing services. Makes sense now. Can’t wait for NPR details to be released about their plans for South Yorkshire.

 

[MarkyT]

Here's my suggestion for a Rotherham HS2/NPR station at Central. Eases curvature on approach from Sheffield.

 

[MarkyT]

Here's another view:

 

[tbtc]

You can re-open all the lines you want in the middle, but unless you put extra paths into Sheffield and/or Leeds then there's not much point worrying about Huddersfield Expresses or Monk Bretton/ Wath etc.

Barnsley is pretty close to town centre, can't do much about an incline....

Agreed - Barnsley station seems to be in a pretty good place - right next door to the bus station, a stone's throw from the Markets and the rest of the Town Centre. Unless they are just talking about putting the main station entrance where the current level crossing is (when they build the new bridge over the track? But how much money will that cost to move it a couple of carriage lengths?

I have heard Rotherham could get an NPR station. Either Masborough or Parkgate

We need to do something about Rotherham. Either tackle the flat junctions/ single track chord etc or just run everything through Masborough (with the Tram Train serving the current "Central" Station). The current set-up is a waste of resources - the flat junctions/ single track chord cause capacity problems (and mean the timetable quickly becomes unreliable).

I've mentioned in other threads that if the Plymouth - Edinburgh Voyager is just a couple of minutes late then it'll get to Aldwarke (just north of Parkgate) too late and find the Dearne Valley Stopper trundling along the line towards Leeds - meaning the XC service can be delayed by half an hour (the Northern service leaving Aldwarke just a couple of minutes after the Voyager gets to Leeds half an hour later than it) - so much can go wrong given the restricted layouts here - either fix it properly or do what most big shops have done and give up on central Rotherham.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

You can re-open all the lines you want in the middle, but unless you put extra paths into Sheffield and/or Leeds then there's not much point worrying about Huddersfield Expresses or Monk Bretton/ Wath etc.



Agreed - Barnsley station seems to be in a pretty good place - right next door to the bus station, a stone's throw from the Markets and the rest of the Town Centre. Unless they are just talking about putting the main station entrance where the current level crossing is (when they build the new bridge over the track? But how much money will that cost to move it a couple of carriage lengths?



We need to do something about Rotherham. Either tackle the flat junctions/ single track chord etc or just run everything through Masborough (with the Tram Train serving the current "Central" Station). The current set-up is a waste of resources - the flat junctions/ single track chord cause capacity problems (and mean the timetable quickly becomes unreliable).

I've mentioned in other threads that if the Plymouth - Edinburgh Voyager is just a couple of minutes late then it'll get to Aldwarke (just north of Parkgate) too late and find the Dearne Valley Stopper trundling along the line towards Leeds - meaning the XC service can be delayed by half an hour (the Northern service leaving Aldwarke just a couple of minutes after the Voyager gets to Leeds half an hour later than it) - so much can go wrong given the restricted layouts here - either fix it properly or do what most big shops have done and give up on central Rotherham.

Personally I want to see Masborough Reopened as a NPR station as the platforms still exists 30 years after closure.

 

[Pigeon]

You can re-open all the lines you want in the middle, but unless you put extra paths into Sheffield and/or Leeds then there's not much point worrying about Huddersfield Expresses or Monk Bretton/ Wath etc.

Of course, after all they've both been butchered just like the lines in the middle have...

I've mentioned in other threads that if the Plymouth - Edinburgh Voyager is just a couple of minutes late then it'll get to Aldwarke (just north of Parkgate) too late and find the Dearne Valley Stopper trundling along the line towards Leeds - meaning the XC service can be delayed by half an hour (the Northern service leaving Aldwarke just a couple of minutes after the Voyager gets to Leeds half an hour later than it) - so much can go wrong given the restricted layouts here - either fix it properly or do what most big shops have done and give up on central Rotherham.

Well, the sane solution to that particular problem would be to hold the stopper until the express has passed Aldwarke... no doubt there's some dumbass contractual tangle of payments getting in the way, because of course privatisation is all about providing the best value and service and nothing at all to do with finding the best way to exploit unintended consequences of the rules that were supposed to make sure that that provision still actually happens despite privatisation...

Though it would at least mitigate the problem if the express had the option to turn left and put the hammer down.

 

[Killingworth]

You can re-open all the lines you want in the middle, but unless you put extra paths into Sheffield and/or Leeds then there's not much point worrying about Huddersfield Expresses or Monk Bretton/ Wath etc.

Paths into Sheffield from the north and east are going to be hard to provide, requiring expensive excavation and/or tunnelling and a lot of new bridges. It's not in the HS2 scheme, that 2 track section going north is down to Transport for the North to resolve.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

https://barnsleymbc.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s41395/Appendix 1.pdf

Here are the plans, on page 15 there is map with the proposals

Barnsley’s Gateway Stations and their role in Transforming Barnsley and its Rail Network Barnsley MBC through its Rail Vision has the opportunity to promote Barnsley, HS2 Barnsley Wakefield Parkway and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) Dearne Valley Parkway stations as Barnsley Dearne Valley gateways on inter-city franchise, HS2 and NPR networks. As gateways these stations would also act as strong community and economic hubs for the Barnsley Dearne Valley built up area serving the tenth most populous built up area in the NPR economy and second most populous in the Sheffield City Region economy. The three stations are in the Barnsley Local Plan Accessibility Improvement Zone which is the focus for transport improvements and development and recognised in recent Leeds City Region and Sheffield City Region transport strategies. The stations and Barnsley communities could each be served by connecting mass transit to give an integrated inter- city /high speed rail offer

Barnsley Station Barnsley town centre is a key regeneration focus for the borough and city region. The interchange, including the railway station, lies immediately adjacent to Jumble Lane level crossing and the Glassworks development. The level crossing is to be replaced by a pedestrian and cycle friendly bridge. This presents an opportunity to explore not only delivering currently identified enhancements but also better integration with the regenerated town centre and potential platform extensions to support an improved ‘classic network’ inter-city service offer. HS2 Barnsley Wakefield Parkway One of the options being considered for the South Yorkshire HS2 Parkway Station is in the Brierley-Hemsworth vicinity. If delivered, this station will offer a step change in high speed rail travel being available to key inter-city destinations from Urban Barnsley businesses and attractions. Barnsley station by not being on the high speed rail network, although able to offer an improved intercity rail offer as above, is unable to deliver high speed services NPR Dearne Valley Parkway The ‘Clayton’ touchpoint between the main HS2 eastern leg and an improved Dearne Valley Line as the northern spur of HS2 ‘classic’ from Sheffield to Leeds delivers the NPR objective of improved Sheffield-Leeds services. An NPR station on the improved Dearne Valley Line offers potential for such a station to offer NPR/ intercity franchise services. During the Barnsley Local Plan Period up to 2033, a number of allocated housing and employment sites are expected to be developed in the Dearne Valley which will only increase demand for rail travel, particularly to Sheffield and Leeds. Creation of a Dearne Valley NPR Parkway station would support NPR and inter-city opportunities to support economic growth and stimulate housing opportunities as well as providing improved connectivity regionally and sub-nationally. This would be supported by good access routes.

Rail Connections There are a number of major rail routes that pass through the borough. However, Barnsley-wide connectivity is fragmented. In particular, there is currently no connection from the Barnsley Dearne Valley stations and the East Coast Main Line heading south towards Doncaster. Mitigating this lack of local and regional connectivity by way of targeted strategic and local connections needs to be given priority in order to secure and sustain delivery of the economic and housing growth potential of Barnsley Dearne Valley. Re-instated Rail Lines In order to offer a well-connected Barnsley and South Yorkshire, opportunities exist to re-deploy disused rail infrastructure to support both passengers and freight. Additionally, there are also locations on the network that may benefit from having previous lines re-instated. For example, connections between the northern section of the Dearne Valley Line and Mexborough and the connection between Penistone and Deepcar could support local, regional and sub-national connectivity as well as network efficiencies. Enhancementsto Existing Infrastructure Working with Network Rail to identify other opportunities to develop enhancements. This will allow a coordinated approach to renewals and delivering enhancements taking cognisance of the Barnsley Rail Vision and additional third party funding sources which may be available.

• Barnsley Station – Opportunity to improve connectivity with the removal of the severance from Jumble Lane Level Crossing to improve the passenger experience and integrate holistically with the town centre.
  
• Deliver the Leeds-Sheffield Hallam line journey time improvements
  
• HS2 phase 2 eastern leg – confirmed provision of the HS2 South Yorkshire Parkway station on the main HS2 eastern leg
  
• Inclusion of the Northern Powerhouse Rail (Sheffield to Leeds and Sheffield to Hull) including a new Dearne Valley Parkway Station
  
• New eastward connectivity from the Dearne Valley line to the ECML giving access to Doncaster and the Doncaster Sheffield Airport
  
• Barnsley services to be included in those having the new Class 195 and other high quality rolling stock.
• improvements to station facilities and environs. To include enhanced connections at Wombwell and Darton stations, improved parking facilities at Penistone station and alternatives to existing steps at Wombwell and Elsecar stations
  
• Improvements to connectivity - Increase in frequency throughout the network, specifically the introduction of 2tph between Huddersfield and Barnsley alongside increasing the destinations served by the Barnsley network and the levels of service in the peak hours and weekends.
  
• Community Rail and Co-operatives – Explore with community rail partners the potential for reinstatement of passenger services on the former North Midland line from West Green to Wakefield and negotiate full support of DfT to local community rail partnerships when the soon expected future national Community Rail Strategy is confirmed.
  
• Improve links to Rotherham and Doncaster
  
• Promote Mass Transit routes between Barnsley and Doncaster and Sheffield and Penistone (via Deepcar)

Looks like the lines between Barnsley and Wakefield via West Green, Barnsley to Doncaster via Wath and Peninstone to Sheffield via Deepcar are proposed for reopening.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

For 2tph between Barnsley and Huddersfield, an additional passing loop is required between Stocksmoor and Huddersfield. With this section of track being in West Yorkshire, I hope the neighbouring authorities are willing and able to co-operate.