Good quality transport connectivity is the lifeblood of the local economy, and Labour councillors are backing a series of major long term investment proposals that would be funded with money from government or the City Region, to improve journeys and secure a more environmentally friendly future. These include:

1. Restoring mainline train services through the borough for the first time in a generation, with a potential new mainline train station at Parkgate.
2. Delivering a new local station at Waverley, creating a rail connection between the new community and Sheffield city centre, and opening up access to job opportunities from Kiveton and the south of the borough.
3. Extending the tram train service out to Doncaster, with connections from Swinton and Kilnhurst, a new stop at Magna, and a park and ride facility at Parkgate Shopping that’s accessible from Aldwarke Lane.
4. We’ve already secured dozens of public charging points for electric vehicles. Government figures in November 2019 suggested that Rotherham has more electric vehicle charging (EV) points per person than anywhere else in South Yorkshire. We will ensure that all new residential and commercial developments with parking are required to provide EV charging points.
5. A new high quality cycle network: We are bidding for government funding to secure new high quality segregated cycle lanes, creating a network that connects the town centre to Meadowhall, the AMP, Catcliffe and Broom, with works already underway on the route along Sheffield Road. We will consult on a new cycling strategy for the borough, and have committed resources to improve the condition of the existing 90 miles of cycle ways in Rotherham over the coming year.
6. We want to improve bus connections between Maltby and the town centre with a series of junction improvements to make bus journeys more reliable, and we’re asking the government to pay for new buses with cleaner, more efficient engines, to reduce poor air quality.
7. We have reversed planned cuts to tendered bus services and we will examine the options for a new Quality Bus Partnership or franchising model, depending on the funding available from the government.
8. We will also invest in highways upgrades where these are needed. That’s why we are undertaking a £45 million upgrade of the Rotherham end of the Parkway, and the necessary improvements through Greasbrough.
9. We have consistently opposed the so-called M18 route of High Speed 2, which cuts through the borough but would provide no benefit to Rotherham residents, and we’ll continue to oppose the dangerous so-called “Smart Motorways”.