Road, Rail & Access Issues

[pug]

It was always going to go ahead once the funding was secured. The question is, will this result in a significant interest from airlines? Will easyjet return and create a Yorkshire base?

 

[Seasider]

I doubt very much whether it attract new airlines to DSA. It may attract a few more passengers if it makes a difference to their journey.

 

[muddycoffee]

Just heard from someone on another forum, who works for Harwood Estates, that FARRRS work starts on monday.
:s_thumbsup

 

[Aviador]

Just heard from someone on another forum, who works for Harwood Estates, that FARRRS work starts on monday.
:s_thumbsup

Yes, I think BBC Look North mentioned something about it on the lunchtime news unless that was something else they were talking about.

 

[Seasider]

I thought that it was due to start immediately but I have read an article from a Sheffield newspaper, about the link road, and it said it was due to start 2014.

 

[pug]

Think its due to open in the first quarter 2014. I live in hope that it is the vital piece of infrastructure that they claim is needed to attract flights. Will have to see in a couple of years I guess.

 

[Carnage]

It is M18 widening between junctions 2 and 3 that begins in 2014 as reported in the Sheffield Star.

 

[Seasider]

There hasn't been a start on the new road yet but don't forget it is meant to boost the area around Rossington, so I wonder if there has been a change of plan regarding that. A delay? Anyone heard anything?

 

[lysander]

According to another forum it would seem there has been a delay in gathering all the funding together but this should be done fairly soon. Will the saving of a few miles whilst leaving over 2 miles of existing country lane answer DSA's problems? It remains to be seen. The existing road network has never stopped any of my acquaintances from using the airport...What has are a lack of destinations and price. Are airlines driven by ease of access to an airport or its regions population and their propensity to fly?

 

[pug]

Are airlines driven by ease of access to an airport or its regions population and their propensity to fly?

An airport can have all the facilities it wants, but if the market isnt there the airlines wont be interested.

People seem to believe that an airport with CATIII ILS and long runways away from built up areas should be at the forefront for airlines. In reality it is the beancounters and strategists that drive growth, not the operations managers/directors.. Hence LBA does so well and DSA appears to be struggling.

 

[airforced]

I really wanted DSA to do well and grow into a viable alternative to the regions other main airports. After all it does have, on the face of it at least, all the prerequisites for that to happen but after an encouraging start it has gone downhill of late and is becoming something of a white elephant and where it would be today without Wizz goodness only knows'

Are there any signs of any improvements anywhere? If not you have to wonder if the name Peel has a bearing on its demise don't you?

 

[lysander]

All of DSA's current difficulties were forecast by aviation experts at the time of the public enquiry. The airport wasn't needed...but the prospect of jobs,created by the airport and business park, was!This was the overriding factor!

Much faith is being placed by the regional development agencies and local councils upon FARRRS,but will the saving of a relatively short time be sufficient to encourage airlines to move services there? That is the big question which will only be answered in time.

Vantage didn't hang around too long did they so, I suspect the problem is less to do with Peel as with the airport's position.

 

[muddycoffee]

From time to time I hear that the FARRRS road is going ahead, has there been anything happening on the ground yet? I don't get over to Doncaster very often and I haven't been past for a while.

 

[Seasider]

There are still "1 or 2 loose ends" to tie up yet, but planned start date announced.

 

[muddycoffee]

Just seen a link to an update on the FARRRS road.

http://www.rothbiz.co.uk/2013/08/news-3571-transport-schemes-move-forward.html

The £56m Finningley and Rossington Regeneration Route Scheme (FARRRS) has completed its final statutory procedure with the Secretary of State for Transport granting Doncaster Council the powers to purchase the land needed to build the scheme and to carry out the necessary work to public and private rights of way.

The start of construction works is on the horizon that will create the new connection from Junction 3 of the M18 to the south of Doncaster. It is hoped that the road will become operational in 2015.

 

[lysander]

One of the delays, I understand, was getting a developer financial contribution, which was in place , settled.

 

[News Guru]

Robin Hood Airport to M18 link road starts

Work is expected to be completed in 2016

Work is to start on a £56m dual carriageway linking the the M18, south of Doncaster, with Robin Hood Airport.

The Finningley and Rossington Regeneration Route Scheme will run 2.7 miles (4.3km) across South Yorkshire.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-so ... e-24496780

 

[muddycoffee]

Great news. The first ground has apparently been broken today.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk...ion-for-doncaster-sheffield-airport-1-8286699

Plans for £150m train station for Doncaster Sheffield Airport

Not knowing the area I can't comment in any detail but the airport suggests that the East Coast main line could be re-aligned and an airport station built at a cost of between £100 million and £150 million.

 

[Aviador]

Yes it has been in the local BBC news over the last week. The airport says it plans to expand to a similar size as Manchester airport by 2030 handling in the region of 25m passengers annually.

Now back to reality. The airport currently handles little over 1m passengers a year. It has struggled to gain momentum since its launch around a decade ago. With assistance from the EU with European development funding a number of projects have taken place to improve the airports attractiveness to businesses including the FARRS link road from the M18. The airport is in a peculiar position situated to the East of Sheffield by around 15 miles. To the east of the airport there are few urban areas to support the airport. As desirable as the link road is and access to the M18 this alone will not propel the airport into the premier league of airports. East Midlands airport is equally accessible to the South. Leeds Bradford is slightly less accessible to the North but with Manchester Airport to the west I don't see how the airport can ever reach its aspirations.