Campaigners says railway station in Doncaster town is 'no brainer' as they await government decision
Campaigners have said that reinstating a railway station in a Doncaster town will be vital for enhanced connectivity, a boost to jobs and will take cars off the road.
Friends of Askern Railway Station alongside support from Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband and the Sheffield City Region, are awaiting if their bid to government is successful in reopening the station for passengers.
Askern currently sits on a line between Leeds and Doncaster which also stops at the West Yorkshire town of Knottingley.
A bid has been submitted to the Department for Transport in order to rebuild the station which was closed in 1947. The ‘Restoring Your Railway’ bid was put in back in March 2021 and a decision is likely to be made this year.
The friends group has commissioned a short film to accompany the campaign raising awareness to have Askern Railway Station reinstated.
Spokesperson for Friends of Askern Railways Station, Graham Moss said: “Getting this station back is a complete no-brainer.
“It’s desperately, desperately needed. It would mean better access to jobs and would reduce congestion and pollution on the A19.”
Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband said the campaign had been ongoing for many years.
“We already have the line, we just need the station,” he said.
“A quarter of people in Askern don’t have access to a car. Bringing back the station would give people more options for work and leisure and would also bring people into the town.
“It’s the right thing to do for the community and for the environment, giving people alternatives to using their cars.
“We’re determined to keep fighting till we win. I congratulate Friends of Askern Railway Station on this initiative.”
Since the Restoring Your Railway scheme was set up back in 2014, 15 railway stations have been built on existing lines including in Ilkeston in Derbyshire, Cheshire, Reading, Kent and Torquay.