£3m boost for Rotherham-Sheffield bus corridor

The grant has been made by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Board from its Growing Places Fund and will help improve transport to and from new businesses setting up at Enterprise Zone sites around junction 34 of the M1 at Meadowhall.

David Young, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Eexecutive’s director of customer experience, said: "We are delighted to receive news of this Growing Places funding from the LEP, which represents an important step forward in our ongoing commitment to providing a sustainable transport network across South Yorkshire.

"These improvements will be invaluable in terms of enabling economic growth, strengthening local communities, providing better access to jobs and services, and reducing congestion."

The scheme will provide passengers with high quality bus stops and waiting areas along the route and options for purchasing tickets before boarding the bus. Electronic displays will give passengers up-to-date service information and scheduled timetable information.

Buses will stop at a limited number of places along the corridor and be given priority on the road network, making the journey between Rotherham and Sheffield quicker and more convenient.

The funding will be used to cover future private sector contributions. The BRT North Project includes public transport and significant highway works, which has a total cost of £34.3 million.

Full approval for the scheme is expected to come next summer with services starting in 2015.

For further information on the proposed BRT routes visit www.sy-busrapidtransit.co.uk

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