Doncaster Sheffield Airport plans new stationf
DONCASTER Sheffield Airport (DSA) has proposed a new £170 million station connected to the East Coast Main Line, in its 20-year masterplan.
Released on March 21, the DSA Vision and Masterplan sets out ambitions to increase annual air passengers using the airport from its current level of 1.25 million to 4.7 million by 2037.
Cargo handled by DSA is hoped to rise to 70,000 tonnes per annum by 2037, while an ‘Aerotropolis’ could be built in the Sheffield City Region using part of DSA’s 1,600-acre site - creating over 73,000 jobs and an extra £3.2 billion for the local economy through manufacturing, logistics and aviation activities.
The new station would require seven miles of new track to be built between the ECML and the Doncaster-Lincoln line, enabling direct services to run to London and Newcastle in less than 90 minutes.
According to DSA, this would give some nine million people living within 90 minutes’ travel time easier access to the airport.
If built by 2024, DSA estimates that the station will cater for 1.6 million rail passengers per year by 2037, while also helping to accelerate the construction of 8,500 new homes in the area and providing a boost to regional tourism.
Jonathan Spruce, Strategy Director, Transport for the North, said: “Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s Vision would see it unlock significant passenger and cargo capacity and could create a major economic cluster, supporting the transformation of the North of England economy.
“We are currently consulting on our draft Strategic Transport Plan for the North, which identifies DSA as a key economic centre, and we recognise the need for enhanced rail access to DSA.”
Robert Hough CBE, Chairman of Peel Airports, added: “This is a Vision with a central pillar that delivers air connectivity, new housing, highly skilled employment, tourism and better rail connectivity at exceptional value for money. It is straightforward to build and
deliverable in five years.
“It is of national significance for aviation and the economy, particularly the North, and we want to see it realised as soon as possible. This is required beyond what Heathrow expansion will deliver, with a range of benefits for the North and East of the country.”
The airport’s masterplan is now subject to an eight-week consultation which ends on May 16. Details can be found online at: www.flydsa.co.uk/masterplan