Magna tram-train station secure approval

Plans for a new tram-train station at Magna Science & Adventure Park in Rotherham have been given the green light.Network Rail submitted a planning application to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council last year for the new station at the north side of the existing Magna car park.The plans cover the development of a two-platform station capable of accommodating one tram-train unit. The station would be accessed directly off the existing car park for the Magna complex.The station would create a new park-and-ride facility, with the existing car park set to be reconfigured to increase the number of spaces to spaces to 428 from 399. Dedicated cycle parking would also be provided.It has been estimated that 164,000 passengers would use the tram-train stop at Magna annually, with 90,000 of those utilising the park-and-ride facilitiesThe station is set to support Magna’s plans to continue growing its events business and help it to develop a night-time economy.The council has now granted approval for the facility, subject to conditions, under delegated powers.An officer’s report accompanying the decision said: “The additional tram-train stop is considered to improve sustainability of both the site as well as the sustainability of the improved tram network.”It added that the proposed development “is considered to be of a high quality and will represent an improvement to the site”.Last year, South Yorkshire leaders approved proposals to bring the Supertram network back under public control when Stagecoach’s current contract for operation of the network ends this month (March 2024).