MP Calls for More Train to Stop at Rotherham

28 March 2006

Rotherham MP Denis MacShane has asked the government to tell Northern Trains to let him get off in his constituency. Fewer than half the trains running between Doncaster and Sheffield stop in Rotherham. The angry MP says this leaves him waiting on platforms at Doncaster when he travels from Parliament to his constituency. Or he has to pay for a polluting taxi to get from Doncaster to Rotherham.

“I have received a number of complaints from people who, like me, travel regularly by train between Rotherham and London. Northern Trains is happy to take a tax-payers subsidy from Rotherham citizens and should play fair by ensuring that all trains between Doncaster and Sheffield stop for a minute at Rotherham Central station.

“Instead only 34 trains out of the 78 that each day between Doncaster and Sheffield stop for Rotherham passengers. Instead Meadowhall gets more stops which of course further reduces the economic possibilities for Rotherham town centre.

“The government has recently reviewed the franchise arrangements for Northern Trains and I believe the Transport Minister has to ask hard questions about the service the quarter of a million Rotherham citizens get from Northern Trains,” MacShane said.

(Below, the full text of the letter sent to Derek Twigg)

Derek Twigg MP
Minister for Transport
Department of Transport
London SW1

27 March 2006

Dear Derek,

Thank you for your letter regarding the Northern Rail franchise review.

I would like to suggest that one particular aspect needs further attention; the failure of trains between Doncaster and Sheffield to stop at Rotherham Central Station.

I have personally received many complaints, including those from businessmen, all of which deplore the amount of trains stopping at near-by Meadowhall from Doncaster, but not enough at Rotherham Central Station.

My own analysis has found that of the 78 daily trains travelling between Doncaster and Sheffield only 34, less than half, stop at Rotherham Central Station.

Speaking from personal experience I know that this means taking a taxi which increases congestion on the roads and adds to the emission of pollution.

I hope that your officials are able to ensure that more trains stop at the main railway station for the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham and provide a better service for its 240,000 inhabitants.

Legitimate concerns have been raised about Rotherham town centre as shoppers are being drawn to external shopping centres such as Meadowhall. This is made easier by the frequency of trains of trains travelling between Sheffield and Doncaster which stop at Meadowhall, and lack of trains stopping at Rotherham Central.

I hope that your department can negotiate with the relevant rail authorities in order to increase the amount of trains stopping at Rotherham Central Station from Doncaster.

Rt Hon Denis MacShane MP