A BARNSLEY MP says she is ‘delighted’ to support bids to improve Penistone railway station.
Miriam Cates, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, has backed bids to upgrade and improve accessibility as part of the government’s ‘Access for All’ programme.
The bids are being put forward by Northern Rail and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
If successful, a new footbridge will be installed at Penistone, as well as lifts to provide step-free access to both platforms.
Ms Cates said: “I’m very keen to see these proposals go ahead, as they would tie in with my existing bid to upgrade the Penistone Line which will soon be submitted to round two of the Levelling Up Fund bidding process.
“If this is successful, we’ll see a doubling of the services along the line serving Penistone, Silkstone Common, Dodworth, and Chapeltown.
“We’re also making good progress with the project to restore passenger services along the existing freight line between Sheffield and Stocksbridge.
“The government has provided SYMCA with £50,000 to help pay for the Strategic Outline Business Case that’s needed to move to the next stage of the process.
“This work is currently being done, and will be submitted to the Department for Transport by the autumn.
“Upgrading and improving our railways isn’t a quick process, but I’m working hard to secure the best possible connectivity and infrastructure for communities across our constituency.
“I’ll keep doing this to help level up our towns and villages, and give people the public transport they need to access jobs, education, and services.”
