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Train links axe looms
PLANS to axe an important train service between Doncaster and Sheffield could put the brakes on economic revival, fear the borough's transport and business leaders.
Bosses at Arriva CrossCountry Trains are considering diverting their express route from the Midlands to the North-east via Leeds instead of Doncaster.
But fierce opposition will come from passenger bodies and Doncaster business leaders who fear the economy and tourism would both suffer if the fast train between Doncaster and Sheffield is lost.
The trains, formerly operated by Virgin, provide a quicker option between Doncaster and Sheffield because they are non-stop and also provide higher standards of comfort.
The Integrated Transport Auth-ority for the region is being urged to make clear it will object to the proposal to divert the service between Reading and Newcastle to go via Sheffield, Leeds and York, rather than Sheffield Doncaster and York as at present.
David Young, a South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive director, said today: "This is potentially very bad news for South Yorkshire for a number of reasons."
"It would mean Doncaster losing direct train links to Derby, Birmingham and stops to Reading, and Doncaster could have a significantly reduced service to York and stations north, which would undermine economic growth.
He added: "The loss of the service between Sheffield and Doncaster would create crowding on other services, increase journey times by up to 20 minutes and reduce the quality of the journey.
"This is especially true for users of local stations as more passengers will be forced onto local services at both Sheffield and Doncaster.
"This would undermine access from Sheffield to Robin Hood Airport and would make access to more frequent services to London via the East Coast mainline less attractive."
It is feared many rail users between Doncaster and Sheffield would be forced on to slower, less attractive and at times overcrowded train services which could lead to more people using cars and adding to congestion on the M1 and M18.
Doncaster business leaders have also condemned the proposal, suggesting rail links to the town need to be increased, not reduced.
Daniel Fell, head of policy at Doncaster Chamber, said: "Doncaster Chamber is against any reduction in services to this important cross country route. Doncaster's transport links are one of the town's key assets and any reduction in the town's connectivity, especially to key cities such as Sheffield, York, Derby and Birmingham would be a blow for the local economy. Importantly, a reduction in services between Sheffield and Doncaster could make access to Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield via public transport harder.
A spokesman for Arriva CrossCountry said: "At the moment we are only looking at some train services and it is very much at the investigation and consultation stage.
"We are committed to consulting with all rail users and certainly nothing is going to happen yet. No decision will be taken without full consultation and that process hasn't actually started yet."
Source
PLANS to axe an important train service between Doncaster and Sheffield could put the brakes on economic revival, fear the borough's transport and business leaders.
Bosses at Arriva CrossCountry Trains are considering diverting their express route from the Midlands to the North-east via Leeds instead of Doncaster.
But fierce opposition will come from passenger bodies and Doncaster business leaders who fear the economy and tourism would both suffer if the fast train between Doncaster and Sheffield is lost.
The trains, formerly operated by Virgin, provide a quicker option between Doncaster and Sheffield because they are non-stop and also provide higher standards of comfort.
The Integrated Transport Auth-ority for the region is being urged to make clear it will object to the proposal to divert the service between Reading and Newcastle to go via Sheffield, Leeds and York, rather than Sheffield Doncaster and York as at present.
David Young, a South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive director, said today: "This is potentially very bad news for South Yorkshire for a number of reasons."
"It would mean Doncaster losing direct train links to Derby, Birmingham and stops to Reading, and Doncaster could have a significantly reduced service to York and stations north, which would undermine economic growth.
He added: "The loss of the service between Sheffield and Doncaster would create crowding on other services, increase journey times by up to 20 minutes and reduce the quality of the journey.
"This is especially true for users of local stations as more passengers will be forced onto local services at both Sheffield and Doncaster.
"This would undermine access from Sheffield to Robin Hood Airport and would make access to more frequent services to London via the East Coast mainline less attractive."
It is feared many rail users between Doncaster and Sheffield would be forced on to slower, less attractive and at times overcrowded train services which could lead to more people using cars and adding to congestion on the M1 and M18.
Doncaster business leaders have also condemned the proposal, suggesting rail links to the town need to be increased, not reduced.
Daniel Fell, head of policy at Doncaster Chamber, said: "Doncaster Chamber is against any reduction in services to this important cross country route. Doncaster's transport links are one of the town's key assets and any reduction in the town's connectivity, especially to key cities such as Sheffield, York, Derby and Birmingham would be a blow for the local economy. Importantly, a reduction in services between Sheffield and Doncaster could make access to Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield via public transport harder.
A spokesman for Arriva CrossCountry said: "At the moment we are only looking at some train services and it is very much at the investigation and consultation stage.
"We are committed to consulting with all rail users and certainly nothing is going to happen yet. No decision will be taken without full consultation and that process hasn't actually started yet."
Source