Doncaster Mayor urges investment in East Coast Mainline, airport link and tram-train expansion

In a letter to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, the mayor has called for more investment in the East Coast Mainline, the expansion of tram-train to Doncaster and a railway line connecting the airport.

On investing to improve the East Coast Mainline, experts have said constraints on the existing line make it vulnerable to disruption with ‘12 major incidents in 2018 costing the economy £46 million’.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last month Government will ‘invest massively’ in the rail network.

Mayor Jones said: “Doncaster, like other towns and cities supported by the East Coast Main Line route, will benefit enormously through the appropriate investment.

“The improvements will deliver jobs and growth and provide future economic prosperity which is much needed, so it is more important than ever to invest in the East Coast Main Line.

“What we really need is investment now. The Government must support regional projects that can be on the ground quickly and deliver real benefits for our residents, businesses and the economy.

“It’s unimaginable to think we may have to wait 20 years for passengers to see improvements in South Yorkshire and the north. That cannot happen.

“Rail priority should be about improving regional and local connections by delivering urgent schemes like the tram-train extension to Doncaster and a new rail connection to Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

"These can be built and open in about five years and will see South Yorkshire gain much needed new jobs and economic growth.”

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