Sheffield residents state their top pick destinations if the Supertram gets extended
The Star asked readers where they would like the tram to go if the network was expanded
Northern General Hospital, Stocksbridge and Chesterfield were among the most popular suggestions when we asked readers where they would like to see the Supertram network extended to.
The Star asked readers where they would like the tram to go if the network was expanded, after Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Marie Tidball reaffirmed her support for extending the network following a recent public consultation.
In July, Ms Tidball hosted a ‘Pride in Oughtibridge’ meeting to hear residents’ concerns and discuss priorities for the area. Improving public transport links was among the issues raised, with the MP backing better connections between communities in the Upper Don Valley and the rest of Sheffield.
Northern General Hospital, sitting separately in the north of the city while most of Sheffield’s other major hospitals are clustered around the university, was described as a must by some readers.
Tracy Carson said it would take her two buses to get there, or around £20 each way by taxi, which was why she always asked for an appointment at the Royal Hallamshire instead.
Steve Pitts also called for the tram to be extended to Northern General, or alternatively to “build a hospital that services the South, South East and South West of the city.”
Stocksbridge was another frequently mentioned destination, with several readers suggesting making use of the existing railway line. Alan Wilkinson, who said he still works at Stocksbridge steelworks and knows the line well, wrote: “There’s no steel coming from Rotherham at all, so get it open — it will be a gold mine.”
The idea is not new. Ms Tidball raised the proposed extension at PMQs on March 25, calling for government support to “get spades in the ground for a tram-train extension to Stocksbridge as soon as possible”.
Then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded that the Government was working with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority on better transport links, pointing to £1.4bn of funding for the region.
Chesterfield, Chapeltown and Barnsley were also frequently mentioned, with readers calling for better links to Sheffield city centre.
Other suggestions focused on the south-west of the city. Martin Rapier called for services to Dore and along Ecclesall Road to “get some of the traffic off one of the most congested parts of the city”.
While many readers were keen to discuss possible extensions, others expressed frustration with the existing tram service.
Stephen Shaw commented: “That’s if they can run a fully functioning system which they haven’t up to now.”