Now is the time to Pledge our support for Rotherham Gateway station
ROTHERHAM being on the map for the right reasons is something we all want to see. And we as the town’s local newspaper believe the plans for a new multi-million pound mainline railway station does just that.
The business case for the new Rotherham Gateway Station and wider masterplan area highlights the potential to create 1,200 new jobs, underlining the significant economic impact the development is expected to bring to the region.
Design work for the project will be included in a business case to release further government funding, with an ambition to open the station and Tram Train stop by late 2030.
Already South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Board has signed off £11.35m to design the new mainline station and Tram Train stop, to ensure the project can progress at pace.
The proposed station, earmarked for Forge Way, Parkgate, would act as a regional transport hub linking local, regional, and national rail services – positioning Rotherham as a strategic site between Sheffield and Leeds.
It would also provide more rail services and faster journey times to the centres of Sheffield, Doncaster and Leeds, as well as adding direct and quicker connections to the Midlands, North West and North East.
To ensure the station delivers lasting benefits to local people and businesses, Rotherham Council commissioned a comprehensive Masterplan.
The plan outlines a phased 20-year programme of transformation, including more than 355,000 square foot of advanced manufacturing and commercial space, around 250 new homes, and up to 132,000 square foot of green spaces and public realm.
Rotherham Council has already secured £10 million to progress vital land acquisition and planning for the station area.
The Council will also commit £2 million through its Strategic Acquisitions Fund to secure key properties necessary to deliver the wider Masterplan, with Cabinet set to decide if negotiations can commence.
Cabinet member for transport, Jobs and the local economy Cllr John Williams, said: “Gateway Station is about putting Rotherham back on the map. For the first time in decades, we’ll have direct mainline links to major cities like Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham.
"That means easier travel for work, education and leisure – and it firmly places Rotherham in the heart of the Northern economy. This isn’t just a transport upgrade – it’s a big step forward for our town’s future.
“This is a game-changer for regeneration. Gateway Station will create hundreds of jobs during construction and thousands more in the years ahead. We’re bringing in advanced manufacturing space, a new business centre and an Innovation Campus right next to the station.
"Add new homes and green spaces, and you’ve got a development that will transform the area and give local people real opportunities to thrive.
“Gateway Station isn’t just about trains though, it’s about improving everyday life. Faster, greener travel means fewer cars on the road, cleaner air and better access to jobs and services across the region.
"With tram-train links, buses and safe walking and cycling routes, this will be a truly connected hub. By 2030, we want a station that reflects Rotherham’s ambition for a stronger, fairer and more connected future.”
That’s why the Rotherham Advertiser is backing the project and we ask for your support too. A dedicated pledge page, rotherhamgateway.co.uk, has been created where residents, businesses and community groups can find out more about the scheme and formally register their backing.
Every pledge shows decision-makers in government the people of Rotherham and the wider region want this project to succeed.
To pledge your support visit www.rotherhamgateway.co.uk