MP: Carillion collapse "must not send Rotherham tram-train link off the rails"

Carillion was the main construction contractor on the project to link  Rotherham, Sheffield and Parkgate using the country’s first tram-train scheme.

But Carillion went into liquidation on Monday, putting projects around the country at risk.

Ms Champion said she had written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, seeking reassurance that the collapse will not lead to further delays, with the Rotherham link already £60 million over budget and running two years late.

“The delivery of the tram-train link has been disastrous from start to finish. 

“With repeated failures to meet deadlines and costs having quadrupled, the scheme now faces further uncertainty with the collapse of its main construction contractor.

“Carillion’s collapse is yet another blow to the delivery of the project and the Government must provide reassurance that it will not result in further delays in service starting operation.

“It is of course deeply worrying for Carillion’s thousands of employees, many of whom are based in South Yorkshire. 

“The Government needs to be prepared to bring public contracts back into state control and act quickly to provide reassurances to Carillion's workers.”

The Department for Transport has been approached for comment.