Sheffield City Region mayor sends list of demands to Government which includes Supertram renewal, new hospital and airport rail link

Mayor Jarvis has sent the wishlist to Tory Chancellor Rishi Sunak ahead of the Budget calling on a range of infrastructure and transport investments in South Yorkshire.

Mr Jarvis, who is also MP for Barnsley Central, noted the £220 million Transforming Cities Fund meant for public transport and sustainable travel, as one of the top requirements.

The region is expected to receive the money after a full business case was presented to ministers in order to male ‘significant improvements across rail, public transport and active travel schemes’.

Mayor Jarvis has also called on Whitehall to commit investment in the renewal of Sheffield Supertram. SCR bosses have ambitions of expanding the network across a larger area of South Yorkshire but the scheme is up for renewal in 2024 at a cost of over £400 million.

Councils are also expected to contribute up to 20 per cent of costs.

Ministers are also being urged to fast-track the £300 million project to link Doncaster Sheffield Airport to the East Coast Main Line rail link along with commitments to a Dearne Valley Parkway station on the HS2 line and a new railway station in Rotherham.

The mayor has urged Government to invest £20 million in Sheffield Children’s Hospital Centre for Child Health Technology at the Olympic Legacy Park along with commitment to build a new hospital in Doncaster as part of the Government’s ‘40 new hospitals programme’.

Proper investment in the South Yorkshire bus system including £10 million to stop declining bus passengers is being called for along with the region trialling new hydrogen buses.

Mayor Jarvis said: “Here in the Sheffield City Region we stand ready to deliver major projects, build productivity and secure new investment into our region.

“In the last month we have unlocked the Sheffield City Region Devolution Deal, and through the Local Enterprise Partnership an ambitious and bold new Strategic Economic Plan is being developed.

“This progress signals not only our ambition but our ability, working with the private sector to get things done. It’s now time for Government to back us with sustained investment that will create improved opportunities for our communities and businesses, and make our region an even better place in which to live, work and invest.”