Exciting plans for the multimillion-pound Rotherham Gateway Station are gaining momentum, as South Yorkshire’s Mayor and local council leaders have approved vital funding to advance the transformative regeneration project.
At a meeting held on 7 July, Rotherham Council’s Cabinet endorsed a comprehensive Masterplan and gave the green light for strategic land and property acquisitions near the proposed station site.
Meanwhile, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Board has committed £11.35 million to support the design of the new mainline station and Tram Train stop. This funding, approved during their Annual General Meeting on 24 June, will help accelerate the project’s development.
The business case for the station and surrounding masterplan area highlights the potential to create up to 1,200 new jobs—demonstrating the significant economic impact the development could have across the region.
Design work will feed into a broader business case aimed at unlocking further government investment, with the goal of opening the station and Tram Train stop by late 2030.
A Strategic Transport Hub for the Region
The proposed station, located at Forge Way in Parkgate, is set to become a key regional transport hub. It will connect local, regional, and national rail services, positioning Rotherham as a vital economic corridor between Sheffield and Leeds.
Enhanced rail services will offer faster journey times to Sheffield, Doncaster, and Leeds, along with direct and quicker connections to the Midlands, North West, and North East.
A Vision for Long-Term Growth
To ensure the station delivers lasting benefits for residents and businesses, Rotherham Council has developed a detailed Masterplan outlining a phased 20-year transformation programme. This includes:
- Over 355,000 sq ft of advanced manufacturing and commercial space
- Around 250 new homes
- Up to 132,000 sq ft of green spaces and public realm
The Council has already secured £10 million to support essential land acquisition and planning efforts. An additional £2 million will be invested through its Strategic Acquisitions Fund to secure key properties needed to deliver the wider Masterplan.
Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said: “Back in 2022 we set out proposals to return mainline intercity trains to Rotherham for the first time since the mid-1980s. It’s great now to be able to progress those plans further, confirming additional funding to move to the next stage of development and for site acquisitions. We’re also setting out proposals for opportunities for more jobs and homes in the area around the proposed station, including connectivity into the town centre and access to the tram-train network.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity for our economy and our community, which would put Rotherham residents with half an hour’s travel of the centre of Leeds and an hour from Birmingham, expanding the work and leisure opportunities for Rotherham people as well as access to our borough.”
“We’re determined to forge ahead with securing the infrastructure our borough needs to create new opportunities for years to come.”
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “I’ve repeatedly said that significant investment is needed in our rail network - because if we want people to stay near and go far, we need better public transport.
“The £11.35 million investment into Rotherham Gateway Station is a vital step in delivering that future. It’s about more than just a new station - it’s about creating a gateway to opportunity, growth, and innovation.
“The new station will sit at the heart of a transformational regeneration project, supporting high-tech industries, new homes, and green public spaces. It will improve journey times and connectivity not just within South Yorkshire, but to key centres across the North, Midlands, and beyond.
“We do need more government support to complete our vision. That’s why Rotherham Gateway was included in Lord Blunkett’s Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail because it will help connect our people to the opportunities they deserve if we get it right - better jobs, better education, and a better quality of life. It’s one of the ways we’re building a world-class transport network in South Yorkshire that works for everyone.”
The recently published Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail was commissioned by Mayors Oliver Coppard, Tracy Brabin and David Skaith and it was led by Lord David Blunkett. The Plan sets out the strategic case for investing more in rail as part of a wider regional growth strategy - including making Rotherham Gateway Station a reality, fully electrifying Sheffield, more capacity at Doncaster and new services between Barnsley and London.
Image credit: iStock
