Station option was wrong

I now live in Goldthorpe and frequently use the train to Rotherham for RUFC matches, social purposes, shopping and library use.

During my life I have seen three railway stations on the same site as the current one. I remember Rotherham Advertiser readers voicing both approval and disapproval at the choice of site of the current station.

Several readers had reservations about the choice of the present site as opposed to the top Masbrough station option, saying that the chosen option was not on the main line but on a branch from the main line. It’s now my opinion that their reservations are turning out to be correct.

As a regular user of the new station now for a considerable time, I would like to say their predictions are, unfortunately, found to be true. It’s often my personal experience that when Northern Rail trains are behind schedule, they frequently cut out the stop at Rotherham, informing the passengers that Rotherham passengers may disembark at Swinton or Meadowhall and catch alternative connections for Rotherham, while the train takes the top Masbrough route to make up time.

This causes much inconvenience for students and people with hospital and business appointments. I personally have missed two funerals and an important hospital appointment owing to this.

Great pity! Had the other option been chosen for the new station, ie. top Masbrough — even though it’s further from the town centre — this annoying inconvenience could not have occurred.

E Johnson, Rotherham