South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is preparing to submit a £1.45bn transport investment programme to the government, following approval of its proposals by the Mayoral Combined Authority Board.
image: SYMCA
The five-year Transport for City Regions (TCR) programme, developed with Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield councils, sets out investment priorities across public transport, rail, roads and neighbourhood improvements. It is intended to support the development of an integrated regional transport network and improve connections to employment, education and services.
The board endorsed the proposed programme and its thematic investment approach at the end of October, subject to further detailed development before submission to government. The decision does not constitute final government approval of the funding.
The proposals include support for the introduction of bus franchising, continued renewal of the Supertram fleet and infrastructure, and improvements to transport links serving the wider Gateway East development and Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
More than £125m has been identified for rail priorities, including the proposed Rotherham Gateway and Waverley stations and improvements at Sheffield station. Further investment is planned to improve accessibility and connectivity at Chapeltown, Hatfield and Stainforth, Thorne North and Conisbrough stations.
The programme also includes funding for Supertram track, vehicles, facilities and passenger information systems, alongside development work for potential future tram extensions. Bus improvements would include priority measures on key routes and a regional programme to upgrade shelters.
A £141.1m Better Neighbourhoods programme would fund improvements to local streets, crossings, public spaces and walking, wheeling and cycling routes across the four local authority areas.
Proposed projects include bus and pedestrian improvements along the Dearne Valley Parkway and upgrades to the Trans Pennine Trail in Barnsley; city-centre crossing improvements in Doncaster; Effingham Street Gateway and bridge enhancements in Rotherham; and neighbourhood improvements in Darnall, restoration of Five Weirs Walk and a proposed Moorfoot Mobility Hub in Sheffield.
The wider investment programme also covers highway maintenance, road safety and network resilience, with funding intended to support housing and economic development by improving transport connections.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said the proposed investment would help deliver a fully integrated South Yorkshire People's Network, providing better connections between communities and opportunities across the region.
The programme forms part of South Yorkshire's wider Transport Delivery Programme and is expected to run from April 2027 to 2032, subject to government approval.
The proposals reflect the growing role of mayoral combined authorities in developing regional transport investment programmes. The final scale and timing of delivery will depend on the government's assessment and approval of the submission, alongside further programme development.