Pioneering work to improve links to jobs and services in Barnsley’s Dearne communities - Thurnscoe, Goldthorpe and Bolton - has been recognised in Parliament this week.
During Transport Question Time on Tuesday 17 July 2007, Jeff Ennis MP for Barnsley East and Mexborough explained what is being done in South Yorkshire to ensure former mining communities are being served by better walking, cycling and public transport facilities.
This work is part of the Renaissance Market Towns programme, funded by Yorkshire Forward, and is being carried out by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and other partners.
In response to Jeff’s comments Transport Minister and Doncaster Central MP Rosie Winterton said: “Local transport authorities in former mining areas have made substantial investment to address local regeneration objectives, including enabling better access to jobs through new roads, improvements to public transport and facilities for walking and cycling.
“In preparing local transport plans, local authorities have to look, particularly now, at how disadvantaged people might get extra services and ensure that they plan public transport accordingly. That is exactly in line with what Jeff has said and it is particularly important for former mining areas like ours.”
The Renaissance Market Towns project, is a long term programme which aims to revitalise former mining communities so they can benefit from the economic growth of the Sheffield City Region.
It ensures transport facilities are built in to housing projects from the initial planning stages and that rural communities have access to local jobs and services.
It involves providing links to bus services, walking and cycling routes and improving rail stations and Park & Ride facilities.
Alongside planned short term measures (including travel advice for jobseekers, rail station improvements and better information), a long term programme for the area will be developed to match the area Masterplans being put in place.
Neil Anderson, Strategic Partnership Manager at SYPTE, said: “We work hard to ensure South Yorkshire is connected with good public transport links, and this includes improving the frequency and quality of public transport in rural areas. This is an excellent scheme, which is helping thousands of people access jobs in the Dearne area and I am pleased it is getting recognised by Government Ministers.”
As well as support from MPs, the work in Barnsley is also gaining University support. The Universities of York, Westminster and University College London are all helping to develop the project as part of the DISTILLATE programme of transport, land-use and environment projects.
SYPTE is a member of the Travel South Yorkshire partnership.
The aim of the partnership is to bring public transport together, encourage more people to use it, make it easier to understand and deliver new, innovative public transport products and services.
Travel South Yorkshire is the new identity of the public transport network in South Yorkshire.