Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones has revealed plans for new rail links to connect Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) to the Lincoln Line and the East Coast Mainline (ECML).
In a Facebook post, Ros said: “Our plan is for more than just an airport, but an economic hub for the aviation industry, delivering jobs, opportunity and prosperity for Doncaster.
“We are working on an updated masterplan for what the airport alongside Gateway East could look like once fully developed, this also includes land allocated for rail link and station to connect with both the Lincoln Line and the ECML, which would dramatically increase access for the region and beyond to our airport.”
In 2022, under the previous Government, £30 million of City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) funding was announced for a rail link to the Lincoln Line.
“This is a Department for Transport retained scheme and as such not devolved funding. Our ambition remains for a rail link to both the Lincoln Line and the ECML (Total scheme cost estimated at circa £1bn),” added Ros.
The announcement on social media comes after the Government backed a £30 million investment plan to reopen DSA earlier this year.
Ros added: “This additional upfront investment has the added benefit of reducing the need for Doncaster Gainshare funding by £56.5m over the medium-term, meaning more money to invest in communities and growth across Doncaster.
“We are currently in conversations with the Government and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority around future transport investment, this includes our plans for DSA rail link to both the Lincoln Line and ECML as well as other schemes across Doncaster.
“The first step is of course to reopen our airport, then we can invest to improve connectivity and deliver the successful international airport that we know DSA can be.”
The airport, which closed in 2022, remains on track to reopen next spring, according to Ros.
Earlier this year, Munich Airport International was named operating partner of DSA, working alongside FlyDoncaster, the company set up by City of Doncaster Council to run the airport once it reopens.
A year ago, TUI said it was ‘keen’ to return to DSA. The last flight to operate at DSA before it was closed by owner Peel Group was an inbound TUI flight on 4 November 2022.
