STATIONS and tracks along a well-used train route which passes through Barnsley will benefit from a multi-million pound funding package which will improve the frequency of services.
The ‘Penistone Line’, which starts at Barnsley Interchange and makes its way through Dodworth, Silkstone Common and Penistone stations on its way to Huddersfield, was included in the previous government’s long-awaited ‘Network North’ rail investment scheme.
The £48m investment will lead to ‘significant improvements’ in the performance and reliability of services and last week the new Labour government confirmed the promise will be taken on.
Labour - in its budget - confirmed the Conservatives had pledged to upgrade the line but did not properly cost the policy, so it has been included in the Levelling Up Fund.
Marie Tidball, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said: “I’m so pleased our new government has committed funding to upgrade the Penistone Line, which so many people across our communities rely on to travel across our region.
“I know the difference this will make to those using the line to commute to work, access our centres at the weekend, go to college and sixth form, and travel across the rural parts of our region.”
The Chronicle understands track layouts and signals will be the first to see work, with plans for a half-hourly service - effectively doubling the current schedule - to follow.
The upgrade project will address several challenges currently facing the route, with its inadequate infrastructure resulting in overcrowded trains, restricted frequency of services and long journey times.
Currently, only one train per hour runs and the average journey time is about an hour and 15 minuets from end to end.
These slow journeys are said to be a ‘significant inconvenience’ for travellers and deter commuters, who have to rely on car travel instead.
The funding confirmed by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) means these issues plaguing passengers can finally be addressed, and the line can be upgraded.
Other funding commitment for local transport included an additional £200m for local transport through City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS), bringing total local transport spending for metro mayors in 2025/26 to £1.3bn, as well as an additional £650m funding for local transport beyond CRSTS.
Ms Tidball added: “The announcement forms part of a wider slate of investment in rural transport and infrastructure revealed in last week’s budget.
“These investments seek to upgrade transport links to improve regional connectivity, delivering transport infrastructure that puts passengers at the heart of rail services and delivers economic growth to the region.
“The Conservative government made numerous empty promises to upgrade our line, but hadn’t allocated any actual money so the project could go ahead.
“It is greatly welcomed that our new Chancellor has made sure she has fully-funded the project in the budget.
“This Labour government knows the difference that good local transport routes makes to opportunities for our constituency, better connecting Dodworth, Silkstone Common and Penistone to Barnsley, Huddersfield and Sheffield.”
