£15.9m for South Yorkshire BRT

Transport Minister, Baroness Kramer, has announced that South Yorkshire PTE (SYPTE) will receive £15.9m from the DfT to enable the long planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to start running in the next two years. An additional £13.9m has been made available from a number of other sources to deliver the project, including a contribution of over £8m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Under the plan a new link road will be built under Tinsley Viaduct to allow a high quality, limited stop bus service to run from Rotherham to Sheffield from September 2015. The buses are expected to run at a ten minute frequency. It will see faster, more frequent connections through the Lower Don Valley, reducing the traffic congestion that occurs at junction 34 south of the M1. It is also expected to help unlock the redevelopment potential of the area, which is being restricted by the traffic problems on the present road system. The scheme will be delivered by SYPTE, working with the DfT, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and Sheffield City Council. Construction on the new link road is due to begin early in 2014.

Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet member for Business, Skills and Development, Cllr Leigh Bramall, said, ‘This has been a long time coming so it is a relief to finally be able to get construction of this much needed route off the ground now we have confirmation of this funding. This road will be a great catalyst to boost economic links in the area by stimulating economic regeneration in the Lower Don Valley, improving transport and helping to address air quality. Bus Rapid Transit North is a key part of our aspirations for the Lower Don Valley and the Enterprise Zone. We are working tirelessly to boost the city region economy, to provide more jobs for local people and to bring vital investment to the Sheffield City Region economy.’

Baroness Kramer said, ‘This is great news for bus users between Sheffield and Rotherham who will benefit from quicker, more reliable services. The coalition government is committed to investing in public transport to offer real transport choices for the people of Yorkshire. Buses are a major link for many people, and help drive economic growth. This £16m of investment will help unlock the next planned phases of development in the Lower Don Valley, and create up to 4,400 new jobs.’