Plans in for Magna tram-train station

Plans have been lodged for a new tram-train station at Magna Science & Adventure Park in Rotherham.Network Rail has submitted a planning application to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council for the new station at the north side of the existing Magna car park.Planning permission is sought for a two-platform station capable of accommodating one tram-train unit. The station would be accessed direct off the existing car park for the Magna complex.The existing car park would be reconfigured to increase the number of spaces to spaces from 399. Dedicated cycle parking (21 spaces) would also be provided.The development is set to support Magna’s plans to continue growing its events business and help it to develop a night-time economy.A statement submitted as part of the application said: “The tram-train line runs to the rear of the site; therefore, an opportunity has been identified to build a new stop serving Magna and the wider area. This would improve connectivity and provide additional transport options for accessing Magna and the wider Templeborough/Sheffield Road area from both Sheffield and Rotherham.”Alongside helping to provide growth to Magna and the local area, the new stop also supports Rotherham Council’s aspirations for increased investment in the regeneration of the wider Templeborough area and provide access to areas of opportunities from areas of need.”The aim of the Tram-Train pilot scheme was to demonstrate the costs and benefits of operating a standard continental design of tram-train on the national rail network with the minimum level of intervention and adaption. The programme has been in place for five years and has demonstrated benefits from the lower infrastructure capital and maintenance costs compared to a heavy rail service; and the level of passenger demand and satisfaction it created, with over 2.3 million journeys carried out in that period. The new tram-train stop at Magna is seen as a logical enhancement of the network.”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 in March 2024.