Earlier this week, when down in Westminster, I met the Transport Minister again to get an update on the re-opening of the Barrow Hill line and to push the case for a new Clay Cross railway station.
Last Autumn, we were successfully in winning funds for the re-opening of Killamarsh and Staveley / Barrow Hill stations, as part of the re-allocation of funds following the cancellation of HS2. Since then, Network Rail have been working on the next level of detail of this programme and it is due to be submitted to an internal, DfT committee in the Summer.
I talked to Huw, the Minister, to highlight the continued importance of the re-opening and the need to make quick progress. We are hoping for a confirmed timeline later in the year, once the latest detail has been submitted. I am hoping the aim will be c2027.
Some residents have highlighted to me the recent consultation by the Sheffield City Mayor about the potential extension of the tram southwards. This is something that comes up periodically (and was also considered at the very beginning of this project to re-open the Barrow Hill line in 2020). Whilst all options will always be reviewed regularly, there is no change to the scope of this project at this stage.
I also highlighted the continuing opportunity of a station at Clay Cross - one of the largest areas without a station in the Midlands at the current time. I have previously highlighted this to the DfT on multiple occasions in the last year, including when the Transport Minister visited in Summer last year, and there is consensus that there is a long-term opportunity here.
There isn't a fund open at the current time which can be bid into for funds but, when an opportunity comes available, we have the detailed work which has already been done for the Town Deal.
I'll keep you updated when we have information on the next level of detail being submitted in a few months' time for the Barrow Hill Line and I will also keep pushing for the Clay Cross Rail Station, we've done the detailed work it's just finding that final pot of funding to get the station going!